Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda has urged members of the Nigeria Medical Association NMA to engage in constructive dialogue with government, and other stakeholders to drive quality healthcare service.
The Governor made this call during his address at the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) 5th Annual Delegates Meeting and General Conference held at Bello Kofar-Bai Conference Hall, State Secretariat, Katsina.
Addressing the healthcare challenges facing the state, Governor Radda pledged unwavering support for medical professionals while outlining specific interventions his administration has implemented.
“I want to take this opportunity to assure you of my government’s commitment to supporting the initiatives of NMA. We recognize the importance of collaboration between the government and Medical associations in advancing healthcare delivery in Katsina and across Nigeria,” Governor Radda affirmed.
The Governor hammered the strategic importance of the conference, describing it as “a critical time in our nation’s healthcare landscape” and “a moment for reflection, discussion, and strategic planning on how to strategise to overcome enormous challenges affecting the Association and the Health system.”
On the administration’s infrastructure achievements, Governor Radda detailed, “The government is improving the healthcare infrastructures for optimum healthcare delivery. This includes upgrading of 7 Comprehensive Health Centers to the status of General Hospitals; Commissioning of Ultra-Modern 16-bed Dialysis Center; Ultra-modern imaging centre and Diagnostic centre underway, construction of Pharmaceutical production factory, provision of 21No. containers of essential hospital equipment, and many more, too numerous to mention here.”
The administration’s focus also extends to grassroots healthcare, “We have embarked on an upgrade of 170 Primary Health Care Centers to the status of functional PHC in each ward. We shall continue with this until all the 361 wards in the State have 1 fully functional PHC in terms of Personnel, Equipment and Infrastructure and quality services,” the Governor stated.
Governor Radda further announced significant progress in medical education, “We have done a lot in Human Resource for Health by approving the commencement of postgraduate Medical Training in the state. Already, accreditation has been given to commence residency training in Family Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.”
“You are not just the backbone of our healthcare system; you are as well the leaders of tomorrow, the ones who will continue to take our healthcare system to greater heights. Your commitment to excellence in patient care and medical education is highly commendable,” the Governor remarked.
Governor Radda called for sustained dialogue between medical professionals and policymakers, “I urge all members of NMA to always engage in constructive dialogue with the government and other stakeholders, advocate for policies that will enhance healthcare delivery and the welfare of its members. Together, we can develop innovative solutions to attract and retain talent in the healthcare sector.”
Governor Radda expressed appreciation for the Award conferred on him by NMA last year, at Calabar Conference.
In his address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, praised the conference theme “Universal Applicability of Care Standards for Patients and the Wellbeing of Healthcare Providers” and sub-theme “Medical Doctors and Politics: The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Shaping Public Policy” as particularly relevant to Nigeria’s current healthcare landscape.
“Care standards provide the architecture for consistent, measurable, and accountable service delivery. They define the outcomes we seek, the pathways to achieve them, and the ethics that must underpin every medical encounter,” Professor Pate stated,
The Minister revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare inaugurated the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC)—a statutory body under the National Health Act—tasked with defining and enforcing minimum standards in federal tertiary hospitals.
Professor Pate elaborated on the committee’s comprehensive mandate covering “master planning and inspection to accreditation and capacity enhancement,” asserting that “without enforceable standards, excellence remains aspirational.”
Professor Pate also outlined the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) which “prioritizes universal health coverage through a revitalized primary healthcare system, strengthened human resources, and fairer health financing.”
“We are expanding the number of functional primary healthcare centres from approximately 1,800 in 2023 to 17,000 by 2027.” Professor Pate emphasized this represents “not merely a numerical goal—it is a transformative infrastructure for training, service delivery, and community resilience,” said the Minister.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Katsina Chapter of NMA and the Chairman Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abubakar, explained the annual conference provided opportunity for professionals to reflect on their achievements, deliberate on pressing issues, share knowledge and best practices.
Dr. Abubakar also added, “The past few years had presented them with both challenges and opportunities within the healthcare landscape of the nation and in particular Katsina state.”
“As an Association and with the support of Governor Radda, we have strived to advocate for an improved remuneration, better working conditions, organize continued medication education (CME), continuing medical health awareness campaigns and engage with relevant governmental agencies,” Dr. Abubakar revealed.
The event had in attendance,Deputy Governor Alhaji Faruk Lawal Jobe, members of the state executive council, Katsina Commissioner for Health, Heads of Health Institutions among other.
Press Released Signed By Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
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