The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) has paid a Courtesy and Technical Visit to the Kano State Ministry of Health to strengthen collaboration on the adaptation and domestication of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines in Kano State as part of efforts to combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Kano State Ministry of Health led by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, alongside the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Gano, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, the Coordinator of the NCD Division, and other senior officials of the Ministry.
The delegation from the Federal Ministry, representing the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, was led by Mr. Femi Stephen alongside other officials from the Food and Drug Services Department.
Representatives of Resolve to Save Lives also attended the meeting, including Mr. Batet Musa and Barr. Emem Udoh.
Discussions during the visit focused on integrating sodium reduction into existing state health programs and systems in response to the increasing prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases associated with excessive sodium consumption.
The National Sodium Reduction Guidelines aim to reduce sodium intake by 30 percent by the year 2030 through a phased and multisectoral approach.
The Federal Ministry highlighted sodium reduction as one of the most cost-effective strategies for preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, stressing the important role of states in driving implementation through primary healthcare systems, food safety programmes, school feeding initiatives, nutrition interventions, and community awareness campaigns.
Speaking during the meeting, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, reaffirmed Kano State Government’s commitment to supporting preventive healthcare initiatives and ensuring the successful domestication and implementation of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines for the benefit of the people of the state.
Also speaking, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Gano stated that sodium reduction aligns with the priorities of the Kano State health system, particularly in the areas of public health, disease prevention, food safety, nutrition, and health promotion. He noted that the initiative would strengthen ongoing interventions and improve public health outcomes through evidence-based implementation.
On behalf of the Federal Ministry, Mr. Femi Stephen emphasized the importance of state-level leadership in achieving Nigeria’s sodium reduction targets, describing Kano State as well-positioned to serve as a model for implementation due to its institutional structures and capacity.
He assured the State of the Federal Ministry’s technical and programmatic support towards successful domestication of the Guidelines.
In his remarks, Mr. Batet Musa of Resolve to Save Lives commended Kano State for its proactive commitment, while Barr. Emem Udoh highlighted the State’s achievements in health sector reforms, including the Kano Public Health Law and Kano Public Health Security Law, which provide a strong legal framework for the implementation of sodium reduction policies.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen collaboration, enhance public awareness, and promote healthier diets aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in Kano State.
Credit: Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa
