The Kano State government has further strengthened its commitment to safeguarding public health with the inauguration of the state’s One Health Technical Committee (SOHTC).

This is contained in a statement issued by the press secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Tanko, in Kano on Sunday.

The committee’s members were sworn in by the secretary to the state government, Umar Ibrahim, on behalf of Gov. Yusuf.

It is housed under the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) to supervise and coordinate the operational activities of the State One Health Coordinating Unit.

The move followed the recent inauguration of the State One Health Steering Committee (SOHSC), which laid the groundwork for a holistic health‑care approach covering human, animal and environmental health.

The SOHTC was tasked with collaborating with development partners to prevent and contain disease outbreaks, enhance emergency preparedness and response, and promote inter-ministerial collaboration across the state.

The committee will also advocate for adequate funding of ‘one health initiatives’, implement and review integrated one health plans, and ensure seamless coordination with all relevant stakeholders.

In his address, Mr Ibrahim underscored the administration’s high priority on the citizens’ medical well‑being and expressed confidence in the professional competence and dedication of the committee members.

He urged them to maintain regular communication with the SOHSC through periodic reports and to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration in managing public health emergencies.

The SSG also called for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among the implementing ministries, departments and agencies to serve as the operational framework for the State One Health Coordination Unit.

The committee comprises senior officials from key ministries, agencies and partner organisations, including the director, One Health Coordination, KNCDC, as chairman.

Others included: the director of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, SMLD co-chairman; the director of Surveillance and Epidemiology, SMLD; and the director of Health Emergency, Preparedness, and Response, KNCDC. Other members of the committee included the director, Public Health Laboratory Service, KNCDC; the director, Disease Control and Immunisation, SPHCMB; the director, Public Health and Disease Control, SMOH, among others.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the chairman, who is also the director of One Health Coordination at KNCDC, thanked Mr Yusuf for the trust placed in them and pledged to deploy their collective expertise to ensure the successful implementation of the assignment.

He appealed for public support and prayers as the committee embarks on this critical task.

(NAN)