Dangote Foundation signs 2 MoUs to boost health delivery in Kano

By Adeola Ajakaiye, in Kano

Dangote Foundation, a humanitarian vehicle of the Dangote Group, has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) geared towards boosting healthcare delivery in the Northwest state of Kano.

The first of the MoUs signed was an Addendum III entered with the Kano State government, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF and the Federal Government specifically designed to strengthen the health system in the state.

The signing took place at Africa House, Government House, Kano, with many healthcare professionals in physical attendance while Faisal Shu’aib, executive director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), a representative of WHO, among others joined virtually.

Among the signatories to the MoU is the Federal Government through the executive director of NPHCDA. Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, and a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) signed as witnesses at the occasion.

The debut of the MoU Addendum III came into being as the state performed well in the Addendum II of the entire process, particularly in the areas of fund sustainability for Routine Immunization (RI) programmes alongside increment of RI budget ceiling by 22 percent in the last six consecutive years, among others.

Provision of qualitative technical assistance and stronger capacity building in the local communities are part of the major areas the MoU would look into critically. So, the process would remain result-oriented with effective implementation and transparent exercise.

Development partners commended Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s political will in driving the process and also applauded the traditional institutions for their continued and tireless efforts in making the entire process a success story.

In their separate remarks, the signatories to the MoU appreciated and congratulated the governor for driving the process which eventually brought an Award of Excellence for the state as the Most Improved State on COVID-19 vaccination during the 2022 African Vaccination Week and Award Ceremony, which took place recently in Abuja. They said Governor Ganduje has given full support with the needed political will to place Kano on a higher pedestal in all areas of human endeavour, particularly healthcare delivery.

In his brief remarks, Governor Ganduje assured his continued commitment and support to improving tertiary, secondary and primary health-care delivery systems in the state.

“We are also committed to see to the successful implementation of this MoU from all its ramifications,” the governor state.

Meanwhile, the second MoU entitled “2022 Aliko Dangote Foundation Integrated Nutrition (ADFIN) project” with the state government took place at Nasarawa Hospital, in Kano.

Speaking at the occasion, Zouera Youssoufou, CEO, Dangote Foundation, disclosed that the agreement was aimed at assisting the state to reduce malnutrition among children in the state.

She said that the agreement focuses on assisting the state to tackle the factors fuelling child malnutrition from the home front.