By Khadijah Aliyu
Kano State Government has commenced engagements with the Georgetown Global Health Nigeria (GGHN) and the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCRN) towards transferring the delivery of HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) services in the state to CCRN over a one-year period.
The development was disclosed during a working visit by a joint delegation of GGHN and CCRN to the state government, where the Director-General of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Dr. Usman Bashir, introduced the team to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who received them on behalf of the government.
Dr. Yusuf assured the delegation of the state government’s commitment to working closely with both organisations throughout the transition period to ensure effective coordination, sustain existing achievements and prevent disruptions to essential HIV and TB prevention, treatment and care services.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to the United States Government for its support to Kano State through the FLASH programme and other healthcare-related interventions, noting their contributions to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to essential services.
He stressed the need to consolidate the gains recorded through development assistance by strengthening local ownership, building institutional capacity and ensuring that government structures are adequately equipped to sustain healthcare programmes beyond the transition period.
Earlier, Dr. Bashir reaffirmed the state’s commitment to constructive partnerships with development organisations and other stakeholders to build a resilient, accessible and sustainable healthcare system that prioritises continuity of care and improved health outcomes for residents.
Speaking on behalf of CCRN, Dr. Faith Nanlap explained that the transition was part of broader efforts by the United States Government to transfer responsibility for healthcare programmes it supports in Nigeria to the relevant state and federal governments.
She said the initiative was designed to strengthen government ownership, integrate health services into existing government structures and ensure the long-term sustainability of healthcare interventions.
Dr. Nanlap also emphasised the importance of increased government budgetary allocations to health, stronger local health systems and greater government responsibility for planning, financing and delivering essential services.
She added that collaboration among government institutions and development partners would be critical to achieving the transition’s objectives, particularly in maintaining uninterrupted HIV and TB prevention, treatment and care for affected communities.
Also speaking, Miss Joy Musa Shalangwa, on behalf of the GGHN delegation, said the visit focused on improving coordination and establishing the necessary arrangements to facilitate the transition within the one-year timeframe.
The transition period is expected to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to coordinate implementation, strengthen institutional capacity and establish sustainable mechanisms for continued HIV and TB service delivery in Kano State.
The engagement marks a significant step towards strengthening government leadership and ownership of healthcare programmes, while safeguarding access to essential services for people living with and affected by HIV and tuberculosis.
Editing By Godwin Duru
