Ganduje urges northern traditional rulers to promote child health

Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday urged traditional and religious leaders in northern Nigeria to remain resolute in the promotion of Maternal Newborn and Child Health programmes (MNCH2), describing it as one of the major ways to ensure adequate healthcare delivery to the grassroots.

Ganduje who stated this during the DFID funded MNCH2 programmes learning event for North-West states held at Coronation Hall, Government, said his administration has been up and doing in ensuring good health care delivery for newborn, pregnant women and the children.

According to him, “The time has come to accept the fundamental reality that the impending budgetary squeeze, the current health crisis and demand generation, as well as awareness creation activities are inextricably linked.

“The traditional institution is one of the key organizations that drives the attainment of a desirable economy and supports the financial underpinnings of the health Care system. The traditional/religious leaders is, therefore, the key to assuring the future demand of health care services in the state.”

Ganduje further stated that, “Kano state Government has committed enormous resources across various healthcare interventions in the state. It is on record that Kano state Government signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with Bill&Melinda Gates and Aliko Dangote Foundations to improve Routine Immunization services in Kano state since 2012.

“This collaboration has achieved great success which subsequently led to the endorsement of another memorandum of understanding between the three parties to improve child health and primary healthcare services in the state,” adding that all the successes we’re facilitated by the full participation of the Kano Emirate Council and the religious leaders.

Ganduje added that his administration is mindful of the importance of addressing the basic social needs from the grassroots level in order to ensure improved factors that determine good health, such as food security, good education, and quality healthcare delivery.

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He stated that, “our administration is fully committed to reducing the Maternal and child mortality rates, and furthermore, control of preventable diseases such as Vaccine-preventable-diseases, Malaria, HIV and many more.”

According to him, “In our determination to further deliver on our campaign promises and ensure that Kano people benefit maximally in health care delivery, the present administration has embarked many beneficial and far reaching health interventions ranging from infrastructure and equipment upgrade, healthcare financing to manpower development.”

Ganduje recalled that, “Last year alone, despite the current economic situation in the state and country at large, over 3, 000 healthcare professionals were employed. This we believe will enhance the capacity of health care delivery system.”

In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi 11 expressed disgust over rampant cases of early and marriages and divorce, describing it as worrisome.

The Royal Father called on northern governors to fashion better ways of compelling parents to offer their children, particularly, women for education so as to better their future.

Emir Sanusi harped more on girl-child education, just as he discouraged the trend of marrying many wives without having enough to take care of them.

Government functionaries, traditional rulers, religious leaders and opinion leaders from North-West states graced the occasion with the theme: Achieving Better Health Outcomes through Engagement with Traditional and Religious Leaders.