Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has flagged off the distribution of multimillion-naira medical supplies and equipment to general hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.
The supplies include two containers of medical consumables donated by Baitulmaal and valued at about $1.5 million, as well as hospital equipment provided through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, valued at approximately $200,000.
The distribution was flagged off on Saturday at the Salihu Malle Central Medical Stores in Katsina as part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to medical services.
According to a statement issued by the Katsina State Government, Radda thanked Baitulmaal for its continued support to the state and its contribution to healthcare delivery.
“This is not the first time Baitulmaal has supported our state. We sincerely appreciate this continued partnership and commitment to improving the lives of our people,” the governor said.
Radda also acknowledged the difficulties encountered in clearing and transporting the donated supplies, commending individuals who helped resolve the challenges.
He specifically recognised former Special Adviser and clearing agent Umar Dangi, among others, for their role in facilitating the process.
Radda Orders Proper Use of Medical Supplies
Speaking on the SWAP intervention, the governor commended the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions for enabling Katsina to meet the required budget performance and health-sector reform conditions needed to benefit from the programme.
He directed all beneficiary health facilities to ensure the proper use, maintenance and protection of the equipment and consumables.
“This support is not for individuals. It is support given to the government to enable us better serve vulnerable people who come to our hospitals and health facilities in search of care,” Radda said.
The Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, described the intervention as another milestone in the state’s ongoing health-sector reforms.
“We consider Your Excellency both a reformer and a performer. Your commitment to collaboration, teamwork and effective stewardship is evident in the transformation taking place across our health facilities,” Funtua said.
He said the SWAP support was secured through the state’s compliance with national health-sector requirements and assured that the Ministry of Health would ensure the items were effectively utilised.
Katsina Releases ₦115m for Nutrition Commodities
The Executive Secretary of the Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency (DMSA), Pharmacist Fatima Shuaibu, said the latest intervention demonstrated the importance of collaboration between government and development partners.
“The consumables and equipment being distributed will support service delivery in our General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres and assist healthcare workers in providing quality care to patients,” she said.
Shuaibu also disclosed that the Katsina State Government had released ₦115 million under the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project to procure commodities aimed at reducing malnutrition among children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
She recalled earlier interventions through Project CARE and World Medical Relief, which she said provided more than 10,000 items of hospital equipment to the state.
Baitulmaal Plans More Support for Katsina
Baitulmaal Leader Dr Ahmed Ali Khalil said the organisation was committed to strengthening its partnership with the Katsina State Government.
“This is only the beginning. We hope to bring more containers and expand our programmes in Katsina State,” Khalil said.
He added that the partnership would extend beyond medical supplies to other development programmes in the state.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe; Principal Private Secretary Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; members of the Katsina State Executive Council; Special Advisers; heads of health agencies and institutions; development partners and other stakeholders.
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