Kano Govt renews focus on maternal, child health

The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) and Family Planning through increased funding, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic information dissemination.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Alhaji Abdul Ajumawa, made this known on Thursday in Kano during a roundtable discussion on MNCH and Family Planning financing.

The report states that the event was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Kano State Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM).

Ajumawa called for stronger coordination among key stakeholders to support MNCH financing.

He noted that while the government invests heavily in MNCH and family planning programmes, many citizens remain unaware of these efforts due to poor information dissemination.

He stressed the role of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs in communicating government interventions and investments in the health sector to the public.

Ajumawa urged that the ministry be included in health programmes and activities to close the communication gap and raise public awareness of government achievements, policies, and interventions.

He added that effective information management and public sensitisation were essential for promoting community participation, improving healthcare outcomes, and building trust in government programmes.

Family Planning Coordinator Ms Mansura Haruna assured participants that all gaps and challenges identified during the meeting would be addressed to ensure smooth operations and improved service delivery across the state.

KanSLAM Co-Chair Maimuna Yakubu said coordination was key to achieving sustainable success in MNCH and Family Planning programmes.

She called for stronger synergy among government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, the media, and communities to achieve the desired objectives.