Kano State’s Health commissioner, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, highlighted the government’s focus on vulnerable populations during a joint mid‑year review of the state’s Annual Operational Plan (AOP). The meeting, held on Friday, brought together government officials and development partners to assess the performance of health programmes in the first and second quarters and to chart a course for the remaining months of the year.
“We are here to carry out what we call a joint annual review,” Dr Yusuf said. “We look at our performance in the first and second quarters based on our Annual Operational Plan. We assess what we have achieved, what is left and why. That will help us take the right decisions for the remaining quarters of the year.” The review aimed to evaluate achievements to date, identify areas where progress has been slow, and inform decisions that will improve performance in the third and fourth quarters.
The commissioner underscored the state’s commitment to achieving at least 80 percent budget performance in the health sector by year‑end. He noted that the review convened development partners and stakeholders to evaluate key health programmes, including reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, immunisation, malaria control, logistics management, and treatment services. “We are going to look at reproductive, maternal and newborn child health. We are also reviewing immunisation, logistics management, treatment units, malaria performance and other key areas that will help us understand how the health sector is performing,” he added.
Dr Yusuf emphasized that the initiatives are designed to improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of society. He urged residents to continue supporting government programmes, stressing that the public’s understanding and acceptance are vital. “Our message to the public is for them to show us more understanding, pray for the government and accept the programmes we introduce during the year and beyond,” he said. “All the programmes are targeted mainly at vulnerable people, pregnant women and children under the age of five. These are our main targets because we want to make life easier and better for them across the state.”
The mid‑year review reflects Kano State’s broader strategy to strengthen health service delivery and ensure that resources are directed toward those most in need. By focusing on maternal and child health, immunisation coverage, malaria control, and efficient logistics, the state aims to close gaps identified in the first half of the year and to meet its budgetary targets. The commissioner’s call for public cooperation underscores the collaborative approach the government is taking to improve health outcomes for pregnant women and young children across the state.
