The Kano State Ministry of Health has expressed concern over increasing rate of Non-Comnunicable Diseases, NCDs, which cost billions of Naira annually.
BizPoint reports that NCDs, identified by the ministry include hypertension, diabetes, mental health disorders, cancers, and sickle cell disease.
Speaking at the Quarterly Immersion Meeting with the Association of People Living with Hypertension, APLWH, held at GAMMUN office in Kano on Thursday, Dr Ibrahim Aliyu Umar, Director, Public Health and NCDs, Ministry of Health, said the sum of N380 billion is lost annually to NCDs in the state.
Represented by Dr Abubakar Hamza Ahmad, NCDs Coordinator at the ministry, NCDs now account for more than one-third of all deaths in the state.
“These are diseases that do not make the headlines but silently affect thousands of families every day.
“The economic cost is staggering over N380 billion in estimated losses annually yet the human cost is even more heartbreaking.
“Our health system is often reactive, not preventive, and many patients face long journeys to care, or worse, no care at all.
“Today’s presentation is not just about statistics – it is about building a shared understanding of our current funding landscape, the glaring gaps, and the urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions,” he said.
Shehu Musa Ishaq, President of APLWH, delivered a welcome address, highlighting the daily challenges faced by people living with hypertension and the urgent need for effective and timely health financing.
In his remarks, earlier, Mustapha Gwarzo, Finance and Administrative Manager of GAMMUN said the Non-govenrmental Organisation is primarily in Kano to be like a bridge between the government and the people living with hypertension in the state.
He noted that in many instances, government is doing a lot to support the people living with hypertension but many can not see because of communication gap.
” there are so many instances where government is doing a lot but the public is not aware. There are so many instances where people are complaining about some challenges in the communities, the government is not aware. That means there is a gap.
“So, our primary aim is to bridge the gap. Is to bring government officials, community members, journalists, traditional leaders together, so that everyone will be on the same page. So that we minimize misunderstandings to achieve our goals,” Gwarzo said.
The meeting concluded with a forward-looking session on next steps to enhance collaboration, follow-up on commitments, and ensure transparency in the fund release process.
Delivering the closing remarks, Mr. Tulari Tine, Executive Director of GAMMUN, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to inclusive, data-driven advocacy and to strengthening partnerships between government and affected communities.
The meeting marks another vital step toward ensuring that NCD funds are not just appropriated but released, utilized, and felt at the community level.
