By Abbas Bamalli
Hajiya Zulaihat Radda, wife of Katsina State Governor, says at least 9,000 sickle cell patients across the state are receiving free drugs monthly.
She made the disclosure at the commissioning of a Sickle Cell Centre at the General Hospital, Katsina, where free sickle cell and malaria drugs for the month of September were distributed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the exercise was organised through the governor’s wife’s pet project, “Safe Space Humanitarian Initiative (SASHIN)”.
According to her, the free monthly distribution of the drugs to sickle cell disease stations for the month, coincided with the commemoration of International Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
The governor’s wife said that SASHIN aims to provide vital support to vulnerable people, with the objective of ensuring and improving access to healthcare, education, climate change and economic opportunities.
She said, “To achieve the third objective, SASHIN came up with various approaches based on the affirmation thematic areas.
“One of the key interventions embarked upon by the NGO in the healthcare programme, is the provision of broad support to sickle cell patients.
“For successful implementation of this programme, SASHIN, with the support of the Sate Ministry of Health, is providing monthly support of sickle cell drugs and anti malarial kits to patients across Katsina, Daura and Funtua Senatorial Zones of the state.
“The commissioning of the sickle cell disease centre will not only ensure regular distribution of free drugs to sickle cell disease stations, but will also ensure strong healthcare delivery for the clients that may require urgent pelvic investigation and other services within the shortest possible time.”
She added that for successful operation of the centre, “there is provision for patients, consultation and basic laboratory services. All these service delivery points have required human resources and equipment for optimal service delivery.
“Presently, there are about 9,000 sickle cell disease clients benefiting from free monthly distribution of the drugs.
“Efforts are ongoing to enroll more beneficiaries across the three senatorial zones of the state. I must commend the support of the state ministry of health in ensuring seamless implementation of this important activity.”
“Let me also assure the commitment of my office in supporting less privileged persons, people with special needs, children and women, through my pet project, as well as the renewed hope agenda of the wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, which I championed as its Coordinator in the state.”
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Adamu said the programme “is a testament to the fact that the present administration in the state is going in the right direction.”
He assured the ministry’s resolve to provide all the necessary support to the governor’s wife’s pet project in providing healthcare support to the people of the state.
According to him, with the support of SASHIN project in the state, issues associated with sickle cell diseases are gradually reducing.
NAN
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