The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency has announced plans to enrol no fewer than 6,000 tuberculosis patients into its vulnerable healthcare scheme as part of a renewed effort to improve access to treatment and reduce the burden of the disease across the state.
The Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr. Rahila Mukhtar, made the disclosure on Wednesday during an advocacy visit by the Kano TB Network and the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment, led by its Coordinator, Sunusi Hashim.
“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 already extended healthcare coverage to people living with HIV and would now include tuberculosis patients under the vulnerable group programme.
She described tuberculosis as a major public health challenge requiring urgent intervention and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure patients receive adequate treatment and support.
“As we know, tuberculosis is one of the major health challenges needing urgent intervention and a strong collaboration among stakeholders,” she noted.
According to Rahila, enrolling TB patients into the health insurance scheme would reduce financial barriers to healthcare and improve access to diagnosis, medication, and other essential medical services.
The KSCHMA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding inclusive healthcare programmes aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable residents across Kano State.
In his remarks, Hashim commended KSCHMA for the initiative, describing the planned enrollment as a significant step toward strengthening the fight against tuberculosis and easing the burden on affected patients, particularly low-income families.
He also called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and civil society groups to combat tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in Kano State and the country at large.
Based on 2026 reports, Kano State is one of the highest TB-burdened states in Nigeria, with an estimated 33,961 cases documented within the year.
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