Kano plans establishment of health sciences college

Concerned by the dwindling rate of health workers, the Kano State Government has initiated a move for the training of more medical personnel to bridge the wide gap.

The growing demand for doctors and nurses is evident following the mass exodus of healthcare givers now seeking greener pastures abroad.

With six active public and private universities in the state though, only one Federal government-owned institution, Bayero university trains medical doctors, who could barely fill the increasing demands.

Inaugurating high powered committee for the establishment of the college of health sciences of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, (ADUST) Wudil, at Government, Kano, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje explained that Kano required more institutions to train medical doctors considering the number of candidates seeking admission to study medicine.

Besides, Ganduje worried that with the growing population of Kano, and the attendance brain drain of health workers, the urgent need for training grounds to produce manpower in the sector cannot be overemphasized.

Ganduje tasked the 15 members committee chaired by World Health Organization (WHO) consultant on AIDS and Hemorrhagic, Professor Abdulsalam Nasidi, to develop a five-year blueprint and plan for the immediate establishment of the college aimed to produce manpower in healthcare management.

In his acceptance speech, on behalf of the members, Professor Nasidi applauded the opportunity to serve the state noting that the state would ever reminded of Governor Ganduje’s legacy aimed to improve the wellness of the residents.

Professor Nasidi, former director, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), had revealed that the initiative set in motion by Governor Ganduje would have come at the right time when the state fertility rate is fast hitting astronomical level.

According to Professor Nasidi, no fewer than 1,000 child birth deliveries are being recorded daily in Kano, a reproductive level fast approaching the global prediction that estimated a population of 50 million in Kano by year 2050.

“I want to bring to your attention a daily reality show. Today, daily out-patient at Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital, Kano stands at 9,900, one of the busiest hospital in the world.

“Again, the daily delivery in the same hospital is put at 70 and 350 daily deliveries across the state as an average in the hospitals. Now, if we considered home birth delivery which is the majority, this means, we have about 1,000 daily deliveries in Kano”. Professor Nasidi declared.

According to the world class public health expert, Nigeria is facing a population pressure of over 218 million which is projected to increase to 377 million by 2050 even when the country battled with one doctor to 6,000 patients ratio. The figure he said is far higher to WHO recommendation of one doctor to 600 patients.

Professor Nasidi regretted that the situation, occasioned by massive exodus of medical personnel seeking greener pastures abroad, was far devastating in state like Kano; where doctor to patient ratio presently put at 1 to 80,000 respectively. He disclosed that only 2,000 doctors operate in the state presently.

“Our doctor population in Nigeria is about 75,000 out of which 33,000 have left the country. Every year Nigeria lose 2,000 doctors for greener pastures. Doctor ratio to patient as defined by WHO is 1 to 600 population. In Nigeria, we have a ratio of 1 to 6,000 ratio.

“In Kano, we have an embarrassing ratio of 1 doctor to 80,000 patients. We have highest disease burden in the country include maternal mortality and Nigeria is having highest child mortality in the world. Worse still is the work force to handle all these challenges. It is noteworthy to say Kano has only 2,000 doctors instead of 5,000”. Professor Nasidi emphasized.

Other members of the committee include the head of service Alh. Usman Bala Mohammad, Vice Chancellor (ADUST) Professor Shehu Musa, Commissioner for Higher education, Dr. Mariya Mohammad, Commissioner for health, Dr. Aminu Sanyawa and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, BUK, Prof Mahmud Sani

Professor Nasidi, former director of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Regional Surveillance and Disease Control Centre (RCDC) pledged the commitment of the committee to deliver on the legacy project of Governor Ganduje administration.