By Our Correspondent
The Kano State Government has expanded free healthcare for sickle cell patients and intensified awareness campaigns to reduce the burden of the disorder across the state.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Emergency Operations Centre, Kano, to mark World Sickle Cell Day 2026. This year’s theme is “Ensuring that Every Patient Lives.”
Dr. Yusuf said patients are now accessing comprehensive care at no cost under the Abba Care Health Programme, a flagship initiative of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration.
He described sickle cell as a major public health challenge in Kano, where thousands of children suffer severe complications and premature death. The condition, he explained, is hereditary but largely preventable through genotype screening and informed marital choices.
“Whether you are AA, AS, or SS, it is not something to be ashamed of. What matters is knowing your status and making informed decisions,” the Commissioner said. He urged young people and intending couples to test their genotype before marriage and called for an end to stigma against people living with the disorder.
Dr. Yusuf added that the state has begun newborn genotype screening to enable early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Early detection, he noted, improves long-term health outcomes for affected children.
The Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Muktar, said over 8,000 beneficiaries have been enrolled under Abba Care, with many sickle cell patients already receiving free services.
Both officials commended Governor Yusuf for strengthening healthcare delivery and thanked development partners, CSOs, and the media for supporting awareness and early diagnosis efforts.
The event brought together government officials, health workers, civil society groups, and patient advocates to reinforce collective action against sickle cell disorder.
