Kano Bans IV Drips, Blood Transfusion At Patent Medicine Stores

The Kano State Government has banned the administration of intravenous (IV) fluids and blood transfusions at all patent medicine stores, commonly known as chemists, across the state.

The directive was issued through the Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), which said patent medicine stores are legally classified as non-clinical retail outlets and are therefore not authorised to perform invasive medical procedures.

PHIMA’s Public Relations Officer, Fauziyya Habib Mahmoud, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, stressing that the directive was aimed at protecting residents from unsafe medical practices.

According to the agency, the ban applies to the administration of IV drips and blood transfusions “under any circumstances,” regardless of the nature of the medical situation.

“Patent Medicine Stores are legally non-clinical retail outlets and are strictly not authorized to perform invasive medical procedures, administer IV drips, or conduct blood transfusions under any circumstances,” the statement said.

Reaffirming the government’s position, the Acting Executive Secretary of PHIMA, Hajiya Khadijah Hussein Sa’id, said the enforcement was part of efforts to safeguard the lives and health of residents.

“This decisive action aligns directly with the vision of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, which prioritizes a ‘Kano First’ approach across all sectors and places the ultimate priority on protecting the health and lives of our citizens,” Sa’id said.

Sa’id warned that any patent medicine store or unauthorised facility found administering IV fluids or conducting blood transfusions would face immediate closure and other appropriate sanctions.

She also urged members of the public to report facilities engaging in the prohibited practices to PHIMA’s office at Magaji Rumfa.

The agency encouraged residents to provide supporting evidence, including photographs, receipts or other proof of service, when making such reports.