Kano state government has pledged renewed synergy with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen immunization coverage in the state.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf disclosed this at the weekend when he received the Country leadership of the Foundation on a courtesy call at the government house.
He said his administration gives top priority to the health population of residents and added that such attention resonated in the significant percentage allocated to health in the state budget.
The Governor said the healthcare system in Kano has undergone a transformational regime after rehabilitation work executed in some of the tertiary health centers essentially at Murtala Specialist Hospital, Asiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital, and other General Hospitals to deliver quality care.
Yusuf appreciated the continued support of the foundation to improving the healthcare delivery systems, especially on immunization just as he pledged to sustain the state counterparts funding on immunization coverage to eradicate polio in Kano.
On his part, the Country Director Gates Foundation, Uche Amaonwu, applauded the state government for consistent payment into the MoU basket and maintaining a separate commitment to full payment of the routine immunization program as agreed since 2017.
Amaonwu said the objective of their visit was to learn more about the successes and challenges of Kano in the implementation of healthcare interventions.
The country director assured the foundation’s willingness to better support the Kano State Government’s efforts to curtail transmission of cVPV2 by ensuring a qualitative campaign on outbreak response and improving immunization coverage.
Apart from health support, Amaonwu disclosed other areas in the foundation are making an impact including agriculture and economic opportunities, targeted at women empowerment programs.
