Nigeria's Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has praised Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda for his efforts to improve healthcare in the state. Pate made the commendation during the commissioning of the upgraded General Hospital in Charanchi and the launch of 256 ambulances. He was accompanied by his delegation and Governor Radda on an inspection of the General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital in Katsina, where he expressed satisfaction with the facilities under construction.
The upgraded General Hospital in Charanchi and the launch of ambulances are part of Radda's efforts to strengthen the state's healthcare system. Pate disclosed that health insurance enrolment in Katsina had risen from about 350,000 beneficiaries in 2023 to nearly 600,000 in 2026. He also revealed that over 184,000 residents had been enrolled across the state's 361 wards through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. These developments aim to improve access to affordable medical services across the state.
Governor Radda's administration has made significant investments in healthcare infrastructure. He disclosed that 20,000 inmates, 20,000 persons living with disabilities, and 50,000 community security personnel had been enrolled under the state's free health insurance scheme. Additionally, over 3,800 healthcare workers have been recruited across primary and secondary healthcare facilities, alongside investments in specialist medical equipment and medical training.
The launch of 238 Tricycle Ambulances and 18 Advanced Life Support Ambulances is expected to strengthen emergency referral services and reduce delays in accessing medical care, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities. The 238 Tricycle Ambulances constitute the first batch of 361 planned for the state, with each of the 361 wards expected to have one. This development is expected to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
Governor Radda's efforts to improve healthcare in Katsina also include the renovation of over 280 Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centres and the establishment of six secondary healthcare facilities across the state. These developments aim to ensure that residents, particularly those in underserved communities, have improved access to quality medical care.
The state's free health insurance scheme has been expanded to cover more residents. Radda's administration has also invested in specialist medical equipment and medical training to improve healthcare delivery. These efforts aim to address healthcare challenges and ensure that residents have access to quality medical care.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate expressed satisfaction with the state's efforts to address healthcare challenges. He commended Governor Radda for his commitment to improving healthcare in Katsina and encouraged him to continue investing in healthcare infrastructure and services.
Key points
- Health insurance enrolment in Katsina has risen from 350,000 beneficiaries in 2023 to nearly 600,000 in 2026.
- Over 184,000 residents have been enrolled across the state's 361 wards through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
- The state has launched 256 ambulances to strengthen emergency referral services and reduce delays in accessing medical care.
