Kano Partners Sanofi to Expand Diabetes Care
The Kano State Government has entered into a two-year collaboration with global pharmaceutical company, Sanofi as part of efforts to respond to the increasing burden of diabetes in the state.
The agreement, signed on Friday, is expected to improve access to diabetes treatment while strengthening healthcare delivery through training and digital support tools.
Health officials say the partnership is timely, given projections that Africa will record the fastest growth in diabetes cases globally in the coming decades.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Yusuf, described diabetes as a growing public health challenge in Kano and the wider region. He said the collaboration underscores the state government’s resolve to improve access to essential medicines and build the capacity of healthcare workers.
“The government hopes the collaboration will significantly improve diabetes management and awareness, addressing a growing health challenge in the state,” Yusuf said.
Under the agreement, the Kano State Ministry of Health will have access to affordable, high-quality analogue insulin for people living with diabetes.
The initiative will also introduce a digital health platform designed to support physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers in patient education, engagement, and monitoring.
In addition, healthcare professionals across primary and secondary health facilities in the state are expected to benefit from targeted training programmes aimed at improving diabetes diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
The state government says the initiative aligns with its broader objective of achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring inclusive access to quality healthcare.
In a statement signed by Sanofi’s Global Affordable Strategy Lead for General Medicines, Dr. Stephane Gokou, the company said the partnership reflects its commitment to expanding equitable access to diabetes care, particularly in underserved communities.
Gokou noted that Sanofi is already working with governments in several low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, through its Access Diabetes initiative.
The programme focuses on key stages of diabetes care, including awareness and screening, patient support, healthcare worker training, and the supply of analogue insulin at adapted prices.
The Kano, Sanofi partnership comes against the backdrop of alarming diabetes projections across the continent.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people living with diabetes in Africa is expected to rise by 129 per cent, from 24 million in 2021 to 55 million by 2045.
In Nigeria alone, an estimated 3.6 million adults are currently living with the condition, while more than 51,000 children and adolescents are affected by Type 1 diabetes.
