Northwest University Kano has presented the findings of a Community Diagnosis exercise conducted by its MBBS students in Doka Ward, Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, with stakeholders describing the research as a vital tool for improving healthcare planning and service delivery in the community.
The presentation, organised by the Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, marked the conclusion of the students’ third community posting under the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Northwest University Kano, Professor Amina Salihi Bayero, represented by the University Bursar, Mallam Salmanu Muhammad Kibiya, said the findings would provide useful evidence that could guide healthcare interventions and improve the health status of residents in the study area.
He said community engagement remains one of the university’s core mandates, noting that the institution is committed to building strong partnerships with communities through teaching, research, and service.
Mallam Salmanu thanked the people of Doka Ward and the Tofa Local Government Council for their cooperation and support, saying the conducive environment they provided contributed immensely to the success of the exercise.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion and Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Aliyu Abdu, commended the Tofa Local Government Council, traditional leaders, community members, and members of the research team for their invaluable support throughout the project.
Professor Abdu disclosed that the exercise was originally scheduled to take place in Shanono Local Government Area but was relocated to Tofa following security concerns in the initial location.
According to him, the Community Diagnosis programme is designed to expose medical students to real-life public health challenges, enabling them to identify health problems within communities and recommend practical interventions.
He explained that Northwest University Kano’s MBBS curriculum aims to produce doctors who are capable of delivering quality healthcare in both rural and urban communities while possessing the skills to diagnose not only diseases but also the health needs of entire populations.
The students presented findings in four key areas: maternal and child health, cardiovascular diseases, socio-demographic characteristics, and environmental sanitation.
According to the presentation, the study covered 286 respondents across three settlements. The exercise benefited from the support of the local government authorities, traditional institutions, healthcare workers, and community members, making data collection smooth and successful.
However, the students identified some challenges encountered during the fieldwork, including the refusal of some residents to participate in the survey and the scattered, unplanned layout of houses, which complicated household listing and numbering.
They noted that the exercise provided invaluable practical experience, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-life community health practice while strengthening their research and communication skills.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Tofa Local Government Area, Alhaji Yakubu Ibrahim, applauded Northwest University Kano for selecting his local government for the study and pledged that the council would utilise the research findings to improve the health and well-being of the people.
He also reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting future collaborations with the university.
Representing the Hakimin Tofa, the Dagacin Doka, Alhaji Mustapha Mansur, expressed appreciation to the university and called for sustained collaboration that would benefit both the institution and the community.
Also speaking, the Head of the Health Department of Tofa Local Government, Alhaji Sani Abdu, commended the students for their commitment and encouraged them to further refine the report into a comprehensive research document that could serve as a useful reference for policymakers and healthcare professionals.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Kabir expressed gratitude to all the guests and stakeholders for their support and participation. He particularly commended the students for their dedication throughout the exercise and appreciated the management of Northwest University Kano for its continuous support to the College of Health Sciences.
