Kano State NCD With Support of CHAI Organized Assessment dissemination Workshop to Combat Non -Communicable Diseases.
The Kano Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) under the State Ministry of Health’s organized a landscape assessment dissemination workshop aimed to present findings from NCD facility assessment and discuss gaps and opportunities for a decentralization pilot.
During the Workshop the Director-General of the Kano state Primary Health Care Management Board professor Salisu Ibrahim Ahmad emphasized the importance of regular check-ups to detect hypertension and diabetes, stating that these diseases are often asymptomatic and can be deadly if left untreated.
He However noted that,many people only seek treatment after being diagnosed, highlighting the need for increased awareness and proactive health measures
“People don’t go for check-ups to know whether they’re hypertensive or diabetic, and that’s why they find themselves having the disease. these diseases are silent killers; they don’t manifest easily, and that’s why it takes time. In fact, people deny that they can get hypertension or diabetes, only when they get it do they start seeking treatment.”
He emphasized the importance of regular check-ups, saying, “The key message is that these diseases are there with us. Therefore, people should engage in check-ups to get their blood pressure measured and sugar checked.”
The Coordinator of NCD, Kano State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdullahi Hamza Ahmad, explained that the workshop’s objectives are to combat NCDs, particularly diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell disease, in Kano State.
Dr Ahmad expressed hope that the promises made during the workshop would be implemented, especially with CHAI’s support in piloting NCD programs in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) across the state
He However ,expressed hope that all promises would be implemented,
“As CHAI is starting to pilot almost all the PHCs in the state, especially in the area of hypertension , diabetes and sickle cell, I hope all the promises will be implemented.”
“I wish all the people during this piloting in LGAs in the state will come out to check and measure their blood pressure .”
During the workshop, several gaps were identified, including limited policy direction and prioritization of NCDs, particularly diabetes and hypertension, review of referral policy and implementation, low funding, and low data use culture, among others.
The workshop held at BON Hotel,supported by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI),was attended by representatives from the State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Management Board (SPHCMB), and relevant partners.