The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has pledged to strengthen public sensitization campaigns across the state to curb the spread of communicable diseases.
The assurance was given by the Director-General of the centre, Associate Professor Muhammad Abbas, when he received members of the Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) during an advocacy visit to his office in Kano.
The visit followed reports of disease outbreaks in some states and an advisory issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Kano State.
V-PeSDI’s Coordinator, Hannatu Suleiman Abba, said the organisation’s mandate was to engage relevant stakeholders on issues affecting vulnerable groups, especially during health emergencies.
“Vulnerable populations are usually the worst hit during disease outbreaks because of social and economic conditions beyond their control,” Abba said.
She lauded the establishment of the KNCDC by the Kano State Government, describing it as a timely intervention and a step in the right direction.
“We believe stronger collaboration between KNCDC and local NGOs will help ensure vital health information reaches grassroots communities, where awareness is often limited,” she added.
In his response, the KNCDC boss, Associate Prof. Abbas, said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration had been repositioning the state’s health sector through timely interventions, particularly in vaccination and routine immunisation.
“Before the recent outbreaks in some parts of the country, Kano had already taken proactive steps to prevent diseases such as Lassa fever and meningitis,” Abbas stated.
He commended V-PeSDI for its commitment to community advocacy and promised continuous partnership with civil society groups and development partners to promote preventive health measures.
“We will continue to work with organisations like V-PeSDI to strengthen public awareness and community sensitisation. Health is everyone’s responsibility,” he added.
He reaffirmed the centre’s readiness to sustain its collaboration with the NCDC and other relevant agencies in protecting the health of Kano residents.
