The Katsina state government has announced the establishment of the state’s Council on Health as part of efforts designed to improve healthcare access for the residents of the state.
The state governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, who chaired the inauguration of the council at the state secretariat conference hall, said his administration is committed to improving healthcare access for Katsina residents
He further disclosed that his administration has commenced the construction of over 102 new health facilities across the state.
He said: ”This ambitious project will see three new health facilities built in each of the state’s 34 local governments to ensure improved access to basic healthcare services for residents across Katsina.”
The governor further highlighted several key investments embarked upon by his administration to strengthen the state’s healthcare system, which includes the release of over one billion naira for the upgrade of the Faskari Comprehensive Health Centre to a General Hospital and the completion of the ongoing Kafur General Hospital project. Others include funds mobilization for the completion of Zango General Hospital.
He also revealed that the Ministry of Health has initiated the contracting process to upgrade the Kankara and Dandume Comprehensive Health Centres to general hospitals.
The commissioner of health, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, was named the chairman with the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics of the Health Ministry as the secretary.
The council’s mandate includes: reviewing the current performance of the state’s health sector and identifying gaps and challenges. This is in addition to mobilizing and allocating resources and ensuring accountability and transparency in the health sector, among others.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Katsina commissioner of health, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, said the State Council on Health would play a crucial role in the state’s journey towards ensuring the well-being and health of its residents.
The commissioner also assured that the council would create an environment where policies and standards set by the National Council on Health were effectively implemented, monitored, and aligned with the blueprint of the Radda-led administration.
