THE Kano State House of Assembly has called on the state government to upgrade Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Kumbotso Local Government Area to improve service delivery and reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals.
The call was made by the member representing Kumbotso Constituency, Alhaji Mudasir Ibrahim Zawaciki, during an inspection visit to the PHC centres in Fanshekara and Mariri.
The visit formed part of a joint PHC/SHF accountability spot check supported by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), EngenderHealth, and other partners aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and the quality of healthcare services in the state.
Zawaciki explained that the constituency currently has four PHC facilities located in Sheka, Na’ibawa, Fanshekara, and Mariri. According to him, the centres operate 24-hour services but require urgent upgrading, equipment, and medical supplies to meet growing demands.
He emphasized that strengthening the PHC system in the area would significantly decongest Murtala Muhammad General Hospital, where patients often struggle with overcrowding and limited resources.
Speaking during the inspection, the Director General of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Professor Salisu Ibrahim, commended the initiative and described it as a timely intervention for boosting community health.
Represented by the Zonal Director for Bichi, Hajiya Aishatu Sani Wali, he stressed the need for government investment in PHCs, particularly at a time when the state faces both known and emerging health challenges.
“The spot check exercise is a vital step toward ensuring accountability and strengthening healthcare delivery in our communities. We urge the administration to consider upgrading these centres to achieve the desired objectives,” he said.
Ward heads in the visited communities also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a step forward in improving healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas.
Community residents, including Halima and Malam Yusuf, highlighted the importance of such inspections, noting that improved facilities equipped with essential drugs and materials would reduce neonatal, maternal, and child mortality rates in the state.
The joint accountability spot check is expected to continue in other local government areas, with findings presented to relevant authorities for policy and budgetary considerations.
