In traditional terms, medical and religious scientists are two most cherished and important people that the society respects. That is why; the significance of a medical doctor in any human clime can never be underestimated.  The likes of Dr Tanko Umar Yakasai, a one time personal physician to Kano State governor, and chief medical officer of Kano State government House has made indelible marks in the annals of community medicine in this country. He is a trailblazer that needs to be celebrated and honoured in a dignified manner.

 

Born in Kano in the early 70s, Dr Yakasai, after his primary and secondary education, studied medicine at the University of Maiduguri in 2001 and had a Masters in Public Health at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2005.  Being educationally minded and ambitious person, Dr Yakasai had another Masters in Business Administration (MBA), in Bayero University Kano (BUK) in 2015. He also obtained a Masters Degree in Development  Studies (MDS) as well as another Masters in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) both from the BUK.

 

As a qualified medical doctor, he is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians. A feat he attained in 2008. These amongst other qualifications has really made him a versatile and sagacious individual armed with the requisite knowledge to hold any position anywhere in the world.

 

Experience wise, which is always the best teacher; Dr Yakassai has in the last three decades carried out field research in the entire North West geopolitical zone as national Coordinator in the Nigerian Aid Indicators and Impact Survey. His areas of specializations are health planning, HIV/AIDS, Operations Research, Child health, Immunization and Reproductive health.

 

At present, he is a Senior Registrar in the Department of Community Medicine but he has been posted round other departments, including: Comprehensive Health Centre, Kumbotso and Sharada Maternal & Child Health Clinic, HIV/AIDS clinic, DOTs/TB clinic, Family Health clinic, Occupational Health clinic, Endemic diseases clinic, Monitoring and supervision of data entry clerks in M & E unit of   PEPFAR A.R.T. Programme. Besides, he teaches medical students in the University, as well as participates in community based surveys and researches and epidemic diseases control, health education with various groups on Immunization and Reproductive Health.

 

For someone that stayed for four years as a personal physician to the then governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Principal Medical Officer, government House, Kano, Yakassai’s remarkable achievements is worthy of celebration.

 

He handled the overall responsibility of management and running of the government House Clinic. People who achieved this task can’t be narrow-minded. From 2015 to date, he is currently the registrar of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital with the task of running endemic diseases clinic, family clinic and clinics in rural health.

 

When he served as a House officer, he did well in clinical management fields of surgery, medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology from 2002- 2003. He was appointed Medical Officer of Community Health Clinic in Takai. At that hospital, Yakasai was in charge of treatment of the sick, preventive services, routine immunization, casualty officer and overall coordinating officer.

 

He garnered vast experience in the field when he served at various capacities such as a PRO- USAID Public Health Specialist on Nigeria Immunization Programme TA Evaluation in Bauchi, Sokoto, Kano and Kaduna from January – June, 2018.  Prior to that, Yakasai had served as Lead Consultant for UNICEF in Bauchi State Strategic Health Development Plan II in June, 2017.

 

In Kaduna State, Yakasai was a supervisor for the Rapid Maternal and Child Health Assessment in the State in November, 2017, among other similar works.

 

This is not all. Yakassai has provided technical support towards the design, implementation and evaluation of Global Fund AIDS/TB/Malaria projects in Nigeria.

 

That enormous achievement earned him board membership of the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) from 2008 to 2011. Yakassai was also a member of the General Purpose Committee and several other Adhoc committees. Yakassai has been involved in oversight of the Agency and also in advocacy for HIV/AIDS Policy, Resource Mobilizations within and outside the country.

 

During a tour, Yakasai studied National Agencies for the Control of AIDS in Uganda and Rwanda in 2008 with particular reference to Joint Financing Agreement (JFA).

 

He is equally a member of Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, Nigeria (CCMN) from 2006 to date. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of the CCM Nigeria, chair of the Oversight Committee in charge of all GFATM grant performance in Nigeria and also participated in country proposal development, writing, submission and Technical Review Panel Defense. Above all, he is a member of the Global Fund AMFM Task Team in Nigeria.

 

As a young medical consultant, Yakasai participated in the National Youth Summit Abuja, February 2001 under which a National Youth Policy was reviewed. Yakasai served as a medical volunteer during the All African Games in August 2003.

 

With enormous goodwill and network in public health concerns, Yakasai attended numerous international conferences and workshops such as  a 3-day Working Visit to Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council London  for the International Youth Committee Meeting of the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

 

In 2003, Yakasai participated in an International Youth Camp, at Alarish, Egypt. He was in 2004, a delegate at the 14th Way General Assembly, Windhoek, Namibia.

 

Again, he served as a delegate at UNFPA African Regional Youth Forum on Population and Development   in Lusaka, Zambia. In 2005, he was a delegate at Africa Youth Leaders Forum Tripoli, Libya. He was also a delegate at UNGASS on HIV/AIDS New York, USA, among other too numerous to mention.

 

Yakasai is a household name in community medicine and public health in Kano state and many states across the country. He has proved to be a force to be reckoned with, having garnered enormous practical experience and knowledge through dint of hardwork, diligence and dexterity over the span of three decades.  For that, he is an exemplary leader worthy of a national honour. The upcoming generation should emulate Yakasai in national duty and service to humanity. Certainly, history will remember Yakasai’s contributions to Nigerians and mankind.

Alhassan, a journalist wrote in from Kaduna.