By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
The Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) has conducted a comprehensive multi-disease medical outreach at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in the metropolis, IL targeting HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, and Tuberculosis (TB) screening, treatment linkage, and health education for inmates.
In a statement signed by Faruk Isa Musa said the outreach, conducted on Thursday 27th November 2025, in partnership with key health stakeholders and development partners, forms a central component of Kano State’s activities to mark World AIDS Day 2025, celebrated globally under the theme Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigerian HIV Response*,_ with sub-theme for the state: Kano on the March to Achieving 95-95-95 Goals by 2030.
Speaking during the outreach, the Director General of SACA Dr. Usman Bashir emphasized that incarcerated individuals remain a high-priority population in Nigeria’s HIV response, noting that overcrowding, limited healthcare access, and high disease burden increase the vulnerability of people in custodial facilities.
“Today’s multi-disease campaign to Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre underscores the commitment of Kano State Government, under the leadership of the Executive Governor Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, to leaving no one behind. By bringing comprehensive screening and care to this facility, we are strengthening prevention efforts, expanding treatment access, and ensuring sustained progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat,” the Director General stated.
“This initiative reinforces the state’s commitment to eliminating barriers to healthcare access, particularly among vulnerable and underserved populations,” he added.
According to Dr. Bashir, this year’s World AIDS Day activities reaffirm Kano State Government’s dedication to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2030, ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those who know their status are on sustained treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
“With strengthened political will, community engagement, and sustained investment, Kano continues to make significant strides toward reducing new infections, eliminating mother-to-child transmission, and improving quality of life for people living with HIV,” Dr. Bashir asserted.
The DG extends appreciation to the Kano State Government,Honorable Commissioner of Health,Heads of Health MDAs and other multi Sector agencies and Ministries,and the SACA partners in the health sector, as well as civil society organizations for their unwavering support and collaboration, noting that “Together, we move a step closer to an AIDS-free generation.”
Responding, the Deputy Controller of the National Correctional Service Kano Command Ibrahim Isa Rambo commended Kano SACA for the initiative, highlighting the importance of consistent health interventions within the custodial environment to protect both inmates and the wider community.
The outreach provided a HIV testing and counseling, hepatitis B and C screening, syphilis rapid diagnostic testing, as well as TB symptom screening.
Other services rendered to the inmates of the custodial center by SACA during the exercise are providing immediate linkage to care and ART initiation for newly identified HIV cases, and facilitating health education sessions on prevention, treatment adherence, and stigma reduction.
Drugs like Antimalarials, antihelmonthics,painkillers,painkillers,disinfectant,face masks,plumpy nuts etc were donated to the clinic for its efficient running,all the funds for the activities were solely provided by Kano State Government for the activity.
