From Mu’awiyya Bala Idris Katsina
The Katsina State Government has commenced the distribution of multimillion-dollar medical supplies and hospital equipment to General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state as part of its commitment to strengthening healthcare service delivery.
The intervention includes two containers of medical consumables donated by Baitulmaal, valued at approximately $1.5 million, as well as hospital equipment worth about $200,000 provided through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Katsina State Flags Off Distribution of Grains to Vulnerable Households
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at the Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency (DMSA) in Katsina, Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda expressed appreciation to Baitulmaal for its continued support to the state’s healthcare sector.
Governor Radda noted that the donation reflects the organisation’s longstanding partnership with the state and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare for all residents.
He also acknowledged the challenges encountered in clearing and transporting the donated medical supplies and commended all individuals who contributed to resolving them. The Governor particularly appreciated former Special Adviser and clearing agent, Umar Dangi, alongside other stakeholders for their invaluable support.
On the SWAP intervention, Governor Radda praised the Ministry of Health and relevant institutions for ensuring that Katsina State met the budget performance and health-sector reform requirements necessary to benefit from the Federal Government programme.
He directed all beneficiary health facilities to ensure the proper utilisation, maintenance, and safeguarding of the equipment and consumables.
“This support is not meant for individuals. It is support provided to the government to strengthen healthcare services for vulnerable people who rely on our hospitals and health facilities for quality medical care,” Governor Radda said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, described the intervention as another milestone in the state’s ongoing healthcare reforms.
He explained that the SWAP support was secured through Katsina State’s compliance with national health-sector performance benchmarks and assured that the Ministry would ensure the effective deployment and utilisation of the equipment and consumables.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency, Pharmacist Fatima Shuaibu, said the intervention demonstrates the strength of collaboration between the government and development partners.
She noted that the medical consumables and equipment would significantly improve healthcare delivery in General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres, enabling health workers to provide better quality care to patients across the state.
Pharmacist Shuaibu further disclosed that the Katsina State Government had released ₦115 million under the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project to procure essential nutrition commodities aimed at reducing malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
She also recalled previous interventions under Project CARE and World Medical Relief, through which more than 10,000 hospital equipment items were supplied to health facilities in the state.
In his remarks, the Leader of Baitulmaal, Dr. Ahmed Ali Khalil, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Katsina State Government.
“This is only the beginning. We look forward to bringing more containers of medical supplies and expanding our development programmes in Katsina State,” Dr. Khalil said.
He added that the partnership would extend beyond medical supplies to include broader humanitarian and development initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of the people of Katsina State.
