International partnership needed to strengthen health system – Gov Yusuf

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has lauded the Saudi government for its ongoing assistance in the state's healthcare system, emphasizing the significance of international collaborations in enhancing the healthcare infrastructure and ensuring access to medical services, particularly for marginalized populations. Addressing the medical outreach at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), which is sponsored by the Saudi Consulate General in Kano as part of its humanitarian and healthcare support, Yusuf expressed his appreciation for the choice of Kano for this intervention.

He highlighted that initiatives targeting the welfare of ordinary citizens are vital to improving their overall wellbeing.

The AKTH, described by the governor as a major referral and training institution serving Kano and adjacent states, is expected to benefit further from collaborations with reputable international organizations. Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the state Commissioner for Health, confirmed that this latest initiative is part of the expanding healthcare partnership between Saudi Arabia and Kano.

He mentioned that previous Saudi medical teams had carried out three voluntary medical campaigns in the state, encompassing open-heart surgeries, urological surgeries, and cardiac catheterisation. Dr Labaran Yusuf reiterated the state government's dedication to enhancing the health sector through strategic partnerships, infrastructure improvements, capacity building, and other endeavors.

The Medical Advisory Committee Chairman, Prof. Muhammad Abbas Suwaid, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Medical Director of AKTH, affirmed the hospital's commitment to the success of this exercise and commended the Kano State Government for its unwavering support. Dr Ali Ibn Mahfouz, the Head of the Saudi medical team, and Dr Ali Aji, the Head of the Urology Department at AKTH, provided insights into the scope and objectives of the outreach.