By Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate has described Kano as epicenter of infectious diseases in the country.
Speaking during a visit to the state on the ongoing fight against polio virus, Pate said Kano is the epicenter of many infectious diseases, as such, more attention is needed on the state.
During a visit at the government house in Kano on Wednesday, Pate noted that once infectious disease is controlled in Kano, “the whole country is controlled.”
“So Kano is a very important epicenter for any infectious disease control effort in Nigeria,” Pate said.
The Minister commended the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf for signing into law, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control.
“So, the institution, i hope, will be effective and efficient in helping Kano to have good surveillance systems and good disease control measures,” he said.
Pate states that the fight against polio virus is still undone as despite its elimination for many years, there are still efforts by dealing with circulation of the virus.
Responding Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, epresented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim said the state government highly appreciated the visit of the Minister and the donor partners.
Over the past decade the partnership between Gates and Dangote foundation has been in existence which has played a vital role in enhancing the health sector.
The governor noted that despite the successes recorded ,much needed to be put in place in achieving total eradication of polio virus.
He added that with the continuous support of the federal government and the donor agencies the challenges will be curtailed amicably.
In his remarks earlier, the state’s Commissioner of Health, Doctor Abubakar Labaran disclosed that plans had been concluded to revive the cancer center established and abandoned by the immediate past government in the state.
He said the effort of the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf towards healthcare development is what informed the decision to put the multibilliom Naira cancer center to use for the benefits of the people of the state.
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