Kano State Surveillance for Evidence and Policy (KASSEP)

Improving Maternal and Child Health through Data-Driven Policies

Mission

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The mission of the Kano State Surveillance for Evidence and Policy (KASSEP) initiative is to establish a comprehensive and sustainable health surveillance system that will systematically collect, analyze, and utilize accurate, real-time data on maternal mortality, stillbirths, and other critical health indicators in Kano State. By integrating advanced methodologies such as the Sample Registration System (SRS), Verbal Autopsy (VA), and Social Autopsy (SA), KASSEP will enable the identification of key causes and contributing factors to maternal deaths and stillbirths. This approach will provide evidence-based insights into the biological, social, cultural, and health system-related factors influencing these outcomes. The initiative aims to improve data availability and reliability for policymakers, health professionals, and development partners. Ultimately, KASSEP will support the formulation of targeted and effective interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality, aligning with both the national health priorities of Nigeria and the global commitments outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Vision

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The vision of KASSEP is to become a leading model for data-driven health surveillance and evidence-based policymaking in Nigeria, with a focus on improving maternal and child health outcomes. By establishing a cutting-edge surveillance infrastructure in Kano State, KASSEP will ensure the generation of reliable, timely, and actionable health data that empowers policymakers, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders to make informed decisions. The system will not only track vital statistics, such as maternal deaths and stillbirths, but will also provide insights into the broader determinants of health, including social, cultural, and economic factors. KASSEP envisions contributing to the improvement of healthcare systems, increasing the proportion of births attended by skilled healthcare providers, and addressing the gaps in health service access, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Through the integration of innovative techniques like Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS), KASSEP will deepen the understanding of maternal mortality causes and enhance the quality of health interventions. By fostering collaboration with national health bodies such as the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and other relevant stakeholders, KASSEP seeks to build a long-term surveillance platform that not only supports local and state-level health policies but also contributes to the national and global efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality and improve overall public health outcomes.