The Georgetown Global Health Nigeria and the Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research have begun engagements with the Kano government on the transition of HIV and tuberculosis service delivery to CCRN over one year.

The development was disclosed during a working visit by a joint delegation of the organisations to the state government on Thursday in Kano.

The director-general of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Usman Bashir, presented the delegation to the commissioner for health, Abubakar Yusuf, who received them on behalf of the government.

Mr Yusuf assured the delegation of the state government’s commitment to working with both organisations and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. He said that the government would ensure that existing achievements were sustained and essential HIV and TB prevention, treatment and care services continued without disruption.

The commissioner expressed appreciation to the U.S. government for its support to the state through the FLASH programme and other health-related interventions. He said that the interventions had contributed to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to essential health services.

Mr Yusuf stressed the need to consolidate the gains by strengthening local ownership, building institutional capacity and ensuring that government structures were adequately equipped to sustain healthcare programmes beyond the transition period.

Mr Bashir reiterated the state government’s commitment to partnerships with development organisations and other stakeholders to build a resilient and sustainable healthcare system. He said such partnerships were essential to ensuring continuity of care and improved health outcomes for residents.

Faith Nanlap, who represented CCRN, said the transition was part of broader efforts by the U.S. Government to transfer responsibility for healthcare programmes it supports in Nigeria to relevant state and federal governments. She said that the initiative was aimed at strengthening government ownership, integrating health services into existing government structures and ensuring the long-term sustainability of healthcare interventions.

Ms Nanlap restated the need for governments to increase budgetary allocations to the health sector, strengthen local health systems and assume greater responsibility for planning, financing and delivering essential healthcare services. She said that collaboration between government institutions and development partners would be critical to maintaining HIV and TB prevention, treatment and care services during the transition.

Joy Shalangwa, who represented GGHN, said the visit was aimed at facilitating coordination and establishing the necessary arrangements for the transition within the one-year timeframe.

The transition period is expected to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to coordinate implementation, strengthen institutional capacity and develop sustainable arrangements for continued HIV and TB service delivery in the state.

The engagement is expected to strengthen government leadership and ownership of healthcare programmes while safeguarding access to essential services for residents.

(NAN)