On October 1, 2026, Niger's Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi, accompanied by the governor of Zinder region, Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani, and UNICEF representative, Mme Djanabou Mahonde, conducted a mission to monitor the construction of type 2 Integrated Health Centers (CSI) in several communes of Zinder region. The visit aimed to assess the progress of the works, evaluate the quality of the infrastructure, and identify potential difficulties.
The delegation visited CSI centers in Zangon Moussa, Baban Birgi, and Magarami in Kantché department, and Garin Sage and Naturge in Takeita department. Each type 2 CSI center comprises several infrastructure and services, including curative care, observation rooms, laboratories, and staff accommodations. The centers also feature preventive blocks, social services, prenatal and postnatal consultation rooms, and youth and adolescent areas.
In each locality, the delegation was welcomed by a large mobilization of populations, who expressed their gratitude to the authorities for the construction of these health infrastructure. Residents highlighted the difficulties they faced before the construction of the CSI, such as having to search for transportation to evacuate patients to other health centers. They praised the quality of the new centers and requested that they be provided with necessary personnel, medicine, and equipment.
At Zangon Moussa, Salamatou Saley, a local resident, recalled the challenges they faced before the construction of the CSI, citing the need to transport patients to other health centers. She welcomed the new center, which will provide closer access to healthcare for the population. Similarly, Idé Ibrahim, a resident of Baban Birgi, praised the construction of the new CSI, stating that it meets an important need for the population and will facilitate access to healthcare.
Ibrahim Abdoul Moumouni, a resident of one of the beneficiary localities, expressed satisfaction with the quality of the infrastructure and the mobilization of authorities around their construction. He noted that the new center responds to a long-standing desire for a nearby health center. The authorities also acknowledged some technical imperfections, but assured that measures are being taken to correct them.
The Minister of Health expressed his gratitude to the regional authorities and populations for their warm welcome. He recalled that 20 type 2 CSI centers are being built in 2026 in Zinder region, across several communes of the ten departments. These constructions aim to improve access to healthcare and bring health services closer to rural communities.
The CSI centers are fully financed by the Niger State through the Lafia Iyali project, with the support of UNICEF, to improve health coverage and bring health services closer to populations. The mission allowed the Minister and his delegation to exchange with local officials, entrepreneurs, and technicians on the conditions of implementation and potential constraints to ensure the functionality and durability of the infrastructure.
Key points
- The Niger government has built 20 type 2 Integrated Health Centers in Zinder region in 2026.
- The new health centers aim to improve access to healthcare and bring services closer to rural communities.
- The construction of the CSI centers is fully financed by the Niger State through the Lafia Iyali project, with the support of UNICEF.
