By Abdullahi Inuwa
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the distribution of essential medicines and hospital equipment to General Hospitals across the state, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
The distribution exercise, held at the Salihu Malle Central Medical Stores in Katsina, was coordinated by the State Ministry of Health through the Drug and Medical Supplies Agency (DMSA) under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Radda said the medical equipment supplied through the SWAP programme was worth about $200,000, describing the intervention as part of his administration’s efforts to ensure that health facilities have adequate medicines, consumables and modern equipment.
He also commended the Baitulmaal Foundation for donating two containers of drugs and medical consumables to support healthcare delivery in the state.
Radda directed officials overseeing the distribution to ensure transparency and accountability, while calling for proper utilisation and maintenance of the equipment to guarantee their longevity and maximum benefit to patients.
The governor said his administration would continue to prioritise the health sector and take practical steps to make quality healthcare more accessible to residents across Katsina State.
The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Adamu Funtua, described the intervention as a major boost to ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
According to him, the provision of essential drugs and medical equipment would improve the capacity of hospitals to respond promptly and effectively to patients’ needs.
Representing the Baitulmaal Foundation, Ahmad Aly Khaleed disclosed that the organisation had donated two containers of drugs and medical supplies valued at $1.5 million to Katsina State.
Khaleed said the foundation enjoyed a cordial relationship with the state government and expressed its readiness to provide additional support, including more containers of medical supplies from its headquarters in the United States.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the DMSA, Pharm. Fatima Shuaibu Kurfi, disclosed that the state government had released ₦115 million under the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project for the procurement of commodities aimed at tackling malnutrition among children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
She also recalled previous interventions under Project CARE and World Medical Relief, which she said provided more than 10,000 items of hospital equipment to healthcare facilities in the state.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji, members of the State Executive Council and other senior government officials.
The latest intervention is expected to strengthen the availability of essential medicines and equipment in General Hospitals, while improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services delivered to residents across Katsina State.
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