By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
Kano Government has assured its readiness to reduce the high burden of mental, eye health and Childhood Tuberculosis rates in the state.
The state commissioner for health Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf stated this during a Press briefing on the joint commemoration of 2025 world Mental Health Day, world Sight Day and National childhood Tuberculosis Testing week in the state.
He said the 2025 World Sight Day, World Mental Health Day, and the National Childhood TB Testing Week. These events have been set aside to raise public awareness on blindness, importance of eye care, mental health, and Tuberculosis in children — all of which are vital components of overall health and wellbeing of the people of Kano State.
The commissioner said the respective themes for the triple commemorations are:
> World Sight Day 2025: “Love Your Eyes”
• World Mental Health Day 2025: “Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies”
• National Childhood TB Testing Week 2025: “Every Child’s Life Matters”
These themes are in line with the resolve of Kano State Government, under the able leadership of Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, to improve mental health, eye health, and the fight against childhood tuberculosis in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and our development partners.
“Eye Health refers to the state of well-functioning vision and the prevention of conditions that impair sight. It is an essential component of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) control programmes, focusing on integration, prevention, treatment and elimination of NTDs as well as improvement of quality of life. Good eye health enables individuals to live, learn, and work productively, while poor eye health leads to disability, reduced quality of life, and socioeconomic burden. Common eye diseases in Kano include cataract, glaucoma, trachoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other infectious eye diseases,” He said
According to Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf Mental Health is a state of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their potential, learn, work, and contribute to their communities.
Adding that Mental health is a vital component of overall health and wellbeing, yet it has long been neglected or stigmatized in our society.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to promoting mental health awareness, prevention, treatment, and care
– for indeed, there is no health without mental health!
requiring urgent action.
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Since the inception of this administration, the State Government has made significant efforts to prevent eye diseases, reduce childhood TB, and improve mental health services, while strengthening the overall health system. In collaboration with national programmes, WHO, CHAI, and other partners, the State has, amongst others, achieved the following:
• Successful reduction of Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) prevalence to 0.5% in children and 0.2% in adults, following multiple rounds of Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) across 40 endemic LGAs;
• Implementation of support programmes for vulnerable groups, including Abba Care for sickle cell patients and Abba Gida-Gida support for children with diabetes;
• Training of healthcare workers on eye health, mental health, and psychosocial support;
• Free distribution of over 90,000 spectacles and reading glasses in Kano State;
• Expanded access to mental health services at primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities, including community-based mental health interventions;
• Ongoing awareness and anti-stigma campaigns on mental health in schools, workplaces, communities, and religious institutions, etc;
• Detection and treatment of 4,240 children with TB thus averting death of these children from TB disease and also preventing 63,600 from contracting the disease (as 1 undetected/untreated TB patient can infect at least 15 close contacts);
• Strengthening BCG and all immunization services in the state.” The commissioner emphasized.
The commissioner also highlights some of the achievements of the present administration in the health sector that includes:
Free maternal, newborn; and child health (MNCH) services; Free accident & emergency (A&E) and eye care services; Support for sickle cell and diabetes patients; and Free treatment for malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, leprosy, and neglected tropical diseases.
With these laudable initiatives.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf also commended the Kano state government for the immense support to the health sector.
“I also extend appreciation to His Highness the Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sunusi II PhD, traditional and religious leaders, the Council of Ulama, HISBAH Board, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for their continuous support as well as other Development Partners in raising public awareness in the health sector .” The commissioner said.
