The Kano State Government has projected that between 600,000 and 700,000 babies will be born in the state in 2026, raising fresh concerns over pressure on the healthcare system.
Executive Secretary of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda made the disclosure during the maiden convocation of Sardauna College of Health Sciences and Technology held in Kano over the weekend.
He said the projection, based on the 2006 population growth rate of 3.5 per cent, highlights the increasing demands on the state’s health sector.
Dr. Nagoda cautioned that the rising population poses a major challenge, noting that existing manpower and facilities are already overstretched.
According to him, Kano currently faces a shortfall of about 4,000 professional health workers.
He stressed the need for health training institutions to prioritise practical, hands-on education to ensure graduates are adequately equipped to meet community health needs.
The executive secretary also revealed that the state government plans to recruit additional health personnel and deploy them to underserved areas, including Doguwa, Rogo and Sumaila local government areas.