The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency has announced plans to enrol at least 6,000 tuberculosis patients into its vulnerable healthcare scheme as part of efforts to improve access to treatment and reduce the spread of the disease across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Rahila Mukhtar, disclosed this during an advocacy visit by the Kano TB Network and the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment led by its coordinator, Sunusi Hashim.
According to Mukhtar, the initiative is aimed at improving healthcare access for vulnerable tuberculosis patients while helping to curb the spread of the disease in Kano State.
“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,” she said.
Mukhtar explained that the agency had earlier integrated people living with HIV into its healthcare coverage programme and would now extend similar support to tuberculosis patients under its vulnerable group initiative.
She described tuberculosis as one of the major public health challenges facing the state and stressed the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective response and improved patient care.
According to her, enrolling TB patients into the state health insurance framework would reduce financial barriers and improve access to diagnosis, treatment, and other essential healthcare services.
Mukhtar also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding inclusive healthcare programmes targeted at vulnerable groups across the state.
In his remarks, Hashim commended KSCHMA for the initiative, describing it as a major step toward strengthening the fight against tuberculosis and reducing the burden on affected households, especially low-income families.
He further called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and civil society organisations to tackle tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in Kano and across Nigeria.
According to 2026 health data, Kano remains one of Nigeria’s highest tuberculosis burden states, with an estimated 33,961 cases recorded within the year.
