Governor Dikko Radda has launched the distribution of free medicines and medical equipment to hospitals across Katsina State, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to residents, particularly vulnerable groups.
The medical supplies, donated through a partnership with Project CURE, are expected to boost healthcare delivery across the state by strengthening hospitals and primary healthcare facilities with essential drugs and modern medical equipment.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Katsina on Thursday, Radda described the initiative as a major step forward in his government’s ongoing efforts to transform the healthcare sector through strategic partnerships and sustained investments.
According to the governor, the intervention will improve the capacity of health facilities, support healthcare workers with the tools they need, and enhance the quality of medical services available to citizens.
“Today’s event marks another important milestone in our administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to quality healthcare for our people,” he said.
Radda noted that the collaboration between the Katsina State Government and Project CURE reflects a shared commitment to saving lives and improving health outcomes across communities.
He stressed that beyond improving healthcare services, the programme would ease the financial burden on thousands of families who struggle to afford medical treatment, especially in rural areas.
The governor maintained that access to quality healthcare should not depend on a person’s income level or location, adding that the principle remains central to his administration’s healthcare policies.
Highlighting recent achievements in the sector, Radda disclosed that funding for the state’s Free Medicare Programme had increased by 207 per cent, significantly expanding the number of residents benefiting from free medical services.
He also outlined reforms implemented to strengthen the Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency (DMSA), including the completion of a pharmaceutical production line, the acquisition of additional delivery trucks to improve logistics operations, and the rollout of the Drug Revolving Fund Programme across the state’s 361 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres.
The governor further revealed that approval had been granted for the recruitment of additional personnel to strengthen critical areas such as pharmaceutical production, warehousing, quality assurance, logistics, and inventory management.
According to him, the reforms are part of a broader strategy aimed at improving health infrastructure, strengthening the medical supply chain, and ensuring efficient service delivery across Katsina State.
Radda commended Project CURE for its continued support and partnership, urging healthcare facilities receiving the supplies to ensure proper management and utilization of the medicines and equipment.
He also assured residents that the government would closely monitor the distribution process to ensure that the items reach the intended beneficiaries and deliver maximum impact.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency, Pharmacist Fatima Shuaibu, said the agency had recorded remarkable progress since the introduction of the administration’s healthcare reforms in 2023.
She disclosed that the agency’s workforce had grown from 34 to 70 personnel, while the Drug Revolving Fund Programme recorded an impressive 400 per cent increase.
Shuaibu also revealed that health facility coverage had expanded by 900 per cent, growing from 50 facilities to about 200 facilities across the state.
According to her, the agency, in collaboration with the state government, had established pharmaceutical-grade warehouses and commenced the production of extemporaneous pharmaceutical products, which now contribute about 10 per cent of its internally generated revenue.
She added that the expanded Free Medicare Programme now provides wider coverage for pregnant women, children under five years of age, malaria treatment, as well as free snakebite antivenom and anti-rabies treatment.
The latest intervention underscores the Katsina State Government’s determination to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure that more residents have access to affordable and life-saving medical services.
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