Takai (Kano State): The Kano State Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, and Solina Centre for International Development and Research, has committed ₦7.2 billion to a comprehensive health intervention aimed at reducing child mortality and malnutrition-related complications.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the initiative during the launch of the Mini Number Two Project in Takai Local Government Area on Thursday.
The programme includes the mass administration of Azithromycin to children aged 1–59 months, targeting illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, neonatal infections, measles, and malnutrition.
“This aligns with our seven strategic health priorities promised during the 2023 campaign. We are targeting over three million children across the state,” said Yusuf.
As part of the broader effort, 187 primary health facilities are being upgraded under the World Bank-supported IMPACT project, alongside renovations of 18 secondary healthcare centres. The initiative also includes the reactivation of nutrition centres and mass drug administration for children under five.
Governor Yusuf expressed concern over the neglect of Comprehensive Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres under the previous administration, vowing to restore and equip them across all 44 LGAs. In collaboration with UNICEF, Kano has procured Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) worth ₦1 billion to support severely malnourished children.
“The distribution will be closely monitored by health authorities, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders,” Yusuf said. “We are confident this intervention will reverse troubling nutrition trends like stunting and ensure every child grows healthy and well-nourished.”
UNICEF’s Health Manager in Kano, Dr. Serekeberehan Deres, commended the state’s leadership and urged further funding in 2025. She noted that Kano currently leads Nigerian states in contributions to the Child Nutrition Match Fund (CNF), with ₦500 million matched by UNICEF to provide nearly 13,000 cartons of RUTF, benefiting over 17,000 children.
Dere also called for the implementation of the second round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) and the approval of six months paid maternity leave to support exclusive breastfeeding.
Kano remains one of Nigeria’s most affected states by child malnutrition, with multiple development partners actively supporting efforts to improve nutrition and child health outcomes.