The Kano State Government has expressed alarm over a significant shortage of healthcare personnel, revealing a deficit of approximately 4,000 professional health workers as the state prepares for a rising population. The announcement was made by Prof. Salisu Ahmad Ibrahim, Director General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, during the inaugural convocation ceremony of the Sardauna College of Health Sciences and Technology in Kano.
Prof. Ibrahim highlighted that hospitals and primary healthcare centres are struggling with acute manpower shortages, a situation exacerbated by the state’s rapid population growth. By 2026, Kano is expected to witness between 600,000 and 700,000 births, a surge that will further strain already overwhelmed health facilities. He emphasized the urgent necessity to close the manpower gap, urging training institutions to focus on practical and community-based learning to adequately prepare graduates for frontline healthcare roles.
In his address, Prof. Ibrahim outlined the state government’s intention to integrate newly trained health workers into the system, particularly in underserved areas such as Doguwa, Rogo, and Sumaila Local Government Areas. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare delivery in regions critically in need of support.
At the ceremony, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), underscored the importance of the college’s increasing number of female graduates. He noted that female health workers often align better with cultural expectations in the region, where many families prefer female practitioners for women’s healthcare. Nevertheless, he pointed out that the North still lags in producing female healthcare professionals, advocating for ongoing investment in girls’ education and training within the healthcare sector.
Additionally, community leader and former public official, Dr. Goni Faruk Umar, addressed the graduates, urging them to view their qualifications as a commitment to service rather than merely a means to personal gain. This call to action reflects the pressing need for dedicated healthcare professionals in Kano, particularly as the state braces for a population surge.
The current health worker shortage poses a significant challenge to the future health landscape of Kano State, making the resolution of this issue a priority for local authorities and educational institutions alike.
