We’ll prioritize health sector, economic growth – Salihu Tanko Yakasai

Kano state gubernatorial candidate under Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Hon. Salihu Tanko Yakasai promised to reposition Kano healthcare system in the first two years if elected as Kano state governor in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Salihu Tanko Yakasai made this known during Gubernatorial candidates debate on health matters organized by Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano state branch.

A statement released by PRP gubernatorial candidate spokesperson, Suhaib Auwal Gwagwarwa said Salihu Tanko Yakasai participated at the debate alongside candidates of ADC, APC, LP, and representative of ADP candidate, while candidate of NNPP and PDP shunned the debate.

Salihu Tanko Yakasai explained that the health sector is facing uncountable challenges ranging from poor funding, lack of proper implementation of health policies such as task-sharing/task shifting, dilapidated health facilities, adulterated drugs and many more.

“Looking at the Kano state population and the number of doctors we have in the state is very alarming. Hence, there is a high need to focus manpower, and implement new policies that will address the shortage of health personnel in the state.” he added

On the issue of human resources in the health sector PRP flag bearer noted that “recruitment issue is one of the problems bedeviling health sector in Kano, in the past Kano state Hospitals Management Board had the ability to replace the retired health personnel in two weeks or more, but that policy was changed, now the approval has to come from the governor, that’s why it takes so long to recruit new health personnel. For us to move forward, we must change this policy.”

“None of our state-owned universities is fully offering Medicine as a course. Therefore we are going to provide them with all what it takes to start offering medicine and other important health courses”

PRP governorship candidate Salihu Tanko Yakasai expressed his readiness to make good working relations between health and other sectors including environment, agriculture and water resources.