Mirian Gom 
KANO, Nigeria – The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency has announced plans to enrol at least 6,000 tuberculosis patients into its vulnerable healthcare programme to improve access to treatment and reduce the spread of the disease.
Executive Secretary of the agency, Rahila Mukhtar, disclosed the initiative on Thursday during an advocacy visit by the Kano TB Network and the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment.
“We have a plan to enrol 6,000 TB patients into our vulnerable healthcare scheme to improve access to treatment and reduce the spread of the disease in the state,” Mukhtar said.
She explained that the agency had previously extended healthcare coverage to people living with HIV and would now incorporate tuberculosis patients into the vulnerable group category.
Mukhtar described tuberculosis as a major public health challenge requiring stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations and development partners.
According to her, the scheme would reduce financial barriers to diagnosis, medication and treatment services for vulnerable patients across Kano State.
“As we know, tuberculosis is one of the major health challenges needing urgent intervention and strong collaboration among stakeholders,” she noted.
Coordinator of the Kano TB Network, Sunusi Hashim, commended the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward easing the burden on low-income families affected by tuberculosis.
He also called for sustained partnerships to combat infectious diseases and strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
Recent 2026 health reports rank Kano State among Nigeria’s highest tuberculosis-burdened states, with an estimated 33,961 cases recorded this year.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius