By Mustapha Salisu
The Kano State Government has approved the immediate suspension of all Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme activities across the State as part of efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in the implementation of the life-saving intervention.
Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa, Public Relations Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Kano on Thursday.
According to Nabilusi, the decision followed the constitution of a high-level investigative committee mandated to conduct a comprehensive review of the planning, distribution, and implementation processes of the SMC programme in Kano State.
He added that, according to an official directive issued by the Kano State Ministry of Health, the suspension takes immediate effect and is intended to facilitate a thorough investigation into programme operations, documentation, personnel records, and all related implementation activities.
“As part of the committee’s resolutions, all ongoing field operations, distributions, and community engagement activities under the SMC programme have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation”
“The Programme Manager has also been suspended with immediate effect, while programme responsibilities have been temporarily transferred to the most senior officer within the programme to ensure proper coordination during the review period” Nabilusi added.
He revealed that, to guarantee credibility, objectivity, and professionalism, the State Government constituted a high-powered committee comprising heads of key health agencies in the state.
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The committee is chaired by the Director General of the State AIDS Control Agency (SACA), Dr. Usman Bashir
Other Members include: Prof. Salisu Ahmad Ibrahim, Director General, State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB).
Pharm. Ghali Sule, Director General, Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA)
Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, Executive Secretary, Hospitals Management Board (HMB)
Prof. Muhammad A. Abbas, Director General, Kano Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC)
Dr. Fatima Usman Zahradden, Executive Secretary, Kano Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND)
Dr. Rahila A. Mukhtar, Executive Secretary, Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA)
Khadijah Hussein Said, Acting Director General, Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA)
Nazeer Tanko Kyaure, Director Administration and General Services (DAGS), Ministry of Health to serve as Secretary of the committee.
“The Ministry further directed the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, implementing partners, and other relevant stakeholders to report to the Ministry’s Headquarters with all required programme documents, including approved work plans, distribution records, and candidate lists for verification and assessment.”
“The Kano State Government reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and efficient utilization of public resources in all health programmes.”
“The Government assured development partners and the general public that the ongoing review is aimed at strengthening programme delivery and ensuring that health interventions continue to benefit the people of Kano State effectively.”
“The Government therefore calls on all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the investigative committee and remain committed to supporting efforts aimed at improving healthcare service delivery across the State.” Nabilusi concludes.