Niger's Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi, led a mission from September 12 to 17, 2026, to monitor the construction of 15 Integrated Health Centers (CSI) type 2 in the Maradi region. The mission was conducted jointly with regional, departmental, and communal authorities, traditional leaders, and representatives of UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank. This initiative is part of the 2022-2026 Health and Social Development Plan (PDSS) to ensure the quality of the constructed facilities and their conformity to prescribed standards.
The 15 CSI type 2 centers are located in eight districts of the Maradi region, including Bermo, Dakoro, Mayahi, Aguié, Gazaoua, Madarounfa, Tessaoua, and Guidan Roumdji. Each CSI type 2 center comprises a curative care block, laboratory, pharmacy, maternity block, preventive and promotional care block, staff housing, waste management facilities, latrines, solar electrification, and an autonomous water supply. The goal is to increase the health coverage in the region and provide essential health services to populations in need.
According to Minister Hakimi, the construction of these 15 new CSI centers marks significant progress in the government's commitment to expanding health services. The health coverage in the Maradi region is expected to increase from 54.22% in 2023 to 57.40% in 2026 with the addition of these new facilities. The Lafia Iyali project, funded by the government with support from the World Bank, aims to transform 35 health posts into CSI centers, with 15 of them located in the Maradi region.
The minister's mission found that 14 out of the 15 CSI centers visited were completed within the contractual deadlines and met the required quality standards. However, the CSI center in Firji is not yet completed, with an execution rate of 79%, due to a change in site. Additionally, four out of 15 planned water boreholes were found to be non-functional due to poor water quality or low flow rates.
Minister Hakimi emphasized that the construction of health infrastructure is only the first step and that it is essential to ensure that these facilities are fully functional, well-equipped, and provide quality services to the population. The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene has committed to providing the necessary human resources, solar electrification, and equipment for the 15 CSI centers.
Partners, including UNICEF, have also made commitments to support the functioning of the CSI centers. UNICEF has pledged to provide new autonomous water supply systems for the old CSI centers in Nafouta, Mai Kogo, and Magaria Sud. The minister called on local authorities to support the recruitment of technical staff and guards for the CSI centers and to finalize the process of donating land for the facilities.
Minister Hakimi launched an appeal to the population to use these health facilities as their first point of contact for healthcare, prevention, maternal and child health, vaccination, and other services offered. He also thanked the technical and financial partners, including the World Bank and UNICEF, for their constant support.
Key points
- The Niger government has constructed 15 Integrated Health Centers (CSI) type 2 in the Maradi region as part of its 2022-2026 Health and Social Development Plan.
- The construction of these new CSI centers is expected to increase the health coverage in the Maradi region from 54.22% in 2023 to 57.40% in 2026.
- The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene has committed to providing the necessary human resources, solar electrification, and equipment for the 15 CSI centers.
