People have been enjoined to desist from cigarette smoking in order to safeguard themselves against the dangers it constitutes in the human body.

The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf dropped the hint in a press briefing to mark the 2024 World No Tobacco Day Celebration.

The Commissioner stated that tobacco is the major risk factor for non-communicable diseases associated with a higher risk of developing severe outcomes from the disease and eventually death.

Dr. Labaran said that identifiable risks from smoking include chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, renal failure, cancers, intestinal ischemia, among others.

He added that harms from tobacco begin even before birth, as pregnant women who smoke (or as second-hand smoke) give birth to infants at higher risk of congenital disorders, cancer, lung diseases, and sudden death.

“According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, tobacco accounts for more than 8 million deaths annually, with more than 7 million of those deaths coming from the direct use of tobacco, while about 1.2 million was as a result of non-smokers who were exposed to second-hand smoke. The WHO report also shows that over 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low and middle income countries.

“Globally, 942 million men and 175 million women aged 15 or older were current smokers. It has been noted recently that the prevalence of tobacco smoking is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria (Tobacco Atlas, 2018).

“In Nigeria, the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), showed that 5.6% (4.5 million) Nigerians, 15 years and older, were currently using tobacco products of which 3.9% (3.1 million) were current smokers”, he statistically explained.

The Commissioner lamentably explained that a study has shown that youths smoking cigarettes in Kano were 6.2% (boys 11.4%, girls 1.8%), adding that the trend is likely occurring because of the income growth and increasing cigarette affordability as well as the tobacco industry’s strategy of aggressive marketing in those countries.

Dr. Labaran frowned that unless governments implement stronger tobacco control policies, including creating more awareness on the danger of tobacco smoking and raise the taxes to increase prices of tobacco products among other measures, tobacco smoking will continue to rise.

He noted with satisfaction that since the inception of the administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, in collaboration with partners and other stakeholders remarkable achievements in the fight against tobacco smoking in the state have been recorded including training of law enforcement officers from several law enforcement agencies on enforcing the National Tobacco Control Act (NTC) 2015 that contains several provisions that provides protection of children such as the ban on sale and purchase of tobacco and tobacco products by minors.

In a statement signed by Ibrahim Abdullahi Kano state ministry of health public relations officer said Others, according to the Commissioner, include the currently conducting Data on Youth and Tobacco in Africa (DaYTA) survey for adolescents aged between 10-17 years, planning between the ministries of health and education to begin the establishment of Tobacco-Free Clubs in some selected secondary schools as well as planning by the ministry of health to sensitize owners and managers of public places (both and outdoors) like hotels, motor parks, markets etc on the enforcement of the smoke-free provision of the NTC Act and Regulations.

KANO, Nigeria – The elders of Kano South have called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to restore the five emirates established during the tenure of former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. Speaking at the Kano Press Centre, Alhaji Musa Salihu addressed the press on behalf of the elders, highlighting the significant progress and development achieved through the creation of these new emirates.

“We stand here today to shed light on the immense progress and development that the upgrade of the new emirates in southern Kano brought about under the visionary leadership of the former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. This transformative initiative paved the way for urban upgrades and the expansion of critical infrastructure in the capital and surrounding areas of the emirates, heralding a new era of prosperity and growth,” said Salihu.

The new emirates of Gaya, Rano, and Karaye, which evolved as separate chiefdoms with rich historical backgrounds, represented a significant portion of Kano’s population, currently estimated at 15.46 million. Before their establishment, these regions suffered from a lack of tertiary healthcare and educational institutions, stalling human progress and development.

Salihu explained that the administrative control centralized in Kano City hindered progress in the outlying emirates due to marginalization and over-concentration of social amenities and law enforcement resources. The decentralized development efforts aimed to distribute resources more evenly and foster social and economic growth in these regions.

However, the elders criticized the current administration’s decision to amend the emirate law, a move they see as regressive. “The decision to amend the regressive emirate law by the State Assembly members and hastily assented to by the current Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is a significant setback to the progress and development of the emirates. This move not only stripped us of our heritage and potential for growth but also threatened to reverse the positive trajectory that had been set in motion by the previous administration,” Salihu stated.

The elders commended the State Assembly members from Gaya, Takai, Doguwa, and Tudun Wada Local Governments for their support of the emirates’ progress and urged other members to align themselves with this path of development.

“The actions taken by the previous administration, based on extensive consultations and due process, reflect a commitment to the well-being and progress of the emirates. The sudden removal of our respected emirs without just cause or due process is a grave injustice that must be rectified,” Salihu added.

The elders acknowledged the judicial intervention that temporarily halted the legislation and called on the Kano State Government and House of Assembly to uphold the rule of law and restore the emirates as directed by the Federal High Court.

“We express our gratitude to the judiciary and security agencies for their diligence in safeguarding the rights and well-being of the people. It is crucial that we work together to ensure the continued progress and prosperity of the emirates, Kano, and Nigeria as a whole,” Salihu concluded.

The National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) in Kano State has issued a press release disputing claims made by the Hospital Management Board.

In a statement signed by the chairman of the association Dr Aminu Muhammad Kabir issued to newsmen said On May 13, 2024, the Public Relations Officer of the Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board released a statement titled “Doctor Suspended Due to Negligence – Dr. Nagoda.”

According to NAGGMDP, the press release is “deceptive, misleading, and fabricated,” filled with inaccuracies and injustice. The association conducted a thorough investigation and found several critical points contradicting the board’s allegations.

The CMAC called again around 3:00 AM, informing the on-call doctor of an impending visit by government officials. However, the doctor, feeling unwell, had fallen asleep before the CMAC’s arrival. NAGGMDP clarified that no one knocked on her door or called her during this time.

Dr Aminu Muhammad Kabir and his secretary Dr Anas Idris said the incident began on May 12, 2024, when a patient was brought to the medical unit of Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH) around 1:00 PM.

According to them the patients were promptly attended to and admitted by the doctor on call. After a comprehensive evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and required emergency dialysis due to deranged electrolytes, urea, and creatinine levels. The patient also tested positive for Hepatitis B.

The attending doctor, along with a senior registrar from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), reviewed the patient around 5:30 PM and decided to refer the patient to AKTH due to the lack of appropriate dialysis machines at MAWTH. NAGGMDP noted that MAWTH has nine dialysis machines, seven of which are functional but not equipped to handle patients with Hepatitis B, C, or RVD. The remaining two machines, recently acquired by the state government, are not yet operational.

At approximately 2:00 AM, the Chief Medical Director (CMAC) of MAWTH contacted the on-call doctor to inquire about the doctor in the accident and emergency department and the hospital’s policy on dialysis for septic patients. The on-call doctor confirmed that the doctor on duty was present and reiterated that the hospital was not equipped to handle septic dialysis cases. The patient was referred back to MAWTH due to a lack of bed space at AKTH. The patient was then admitted by the triage officer after consulting with the on-call doctor.

Regarding the welfare of Kano State doctors, NAGGMDP stated they are unaware of any allowances approved by the state government. The association described the claims as “baseless, idle, misleading, and fabricated.” Kano State continues to pay a hazard allowance of 4,700 naira, compared to the 35,000 naira paid by the federal government and other states like Delta, Kwara, and Katsina. Additional welfare issues include the revised CONMESS and the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which the Kano State government has yet to implement.

While other states pay over one million naira per annum to each resident doctor, Kano State pays only 372,000 naira and has yet to settle payments for 2023 and 2024. The state also owes two months’ salaries for 61 medical doctors and has not provided annual increments since 2018. Some doctors are still awaiting financial implementation of their promotions and contract extensions.

NAGGMDP demands the immediate withdrawal of the press release and a public apology to the Kano state doctors within 48 hours, warning that failure to do so could disrupt industrial harmony. Despite the ongoing challenges, the association assured the public that Kano state doctors remain committed to providing effective healthcare services with the highest professionalism.

For NAGGMDP, Dr. Aminu Kabir Muhd, Chairman, and Dr. Anas Idris, Secretary, emphasized the unwavering dedication of Kano state doctors to their duties, despite the challenges facing the healthcare system, including poor remuneration, inadequate manpower, and poor working conditions.