Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda has flagged off the distribution of free medicare commodities and medical equipment donated under Project CURE to hospitals across the state.
While flagging off the disbursement on Thursday, Radda said the intervention will reduce the financial burden on vulnerable families who struggle to afford the cost of treatment in the state.
Radda explained that his administration believes that every citizen deserves access to quality and efficient healthcare services, regardless of financial status or place of residence in the state.
He said the medicines and equipment would further improve service delivery, strengthen the capacity of hospitals and provide healthcare workers with the tools needed to offer quality medical services.
The governor said that his administration had increased funding for the state’s free medicare programme by 207 per cent, allowing more eligible residents to benefit from free healthcare services in the state.
He urged the benefiting health facilities across the state to ensure that the medicines and equipment were properly managed and used strictly for their intended purposes.
He noted that the state government will continue to monitor the distribution and utilisation “because government resources must always serve the people for whom they are intended.
Radda said: “Today’s (Thursday) 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.
“It also reflects the strong partnership between the Katsina State Government and Project CURE in our shared commitment to saving lives and improving health outcomes. This will reduce the financial burden on vulnerable families who struggle to afford the cost of treatment.
“Our administration believes that every citizen deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of financial status or place of residence. This conviction continues to guide our investments in the health sector.”
In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency, Pharmacist Fatima Shuaibu, appealed to the governor to provide stable and reliable electricity to pharmaceutical warehouses in the state.
She also demanded the establishment of regional warehouses to improve medicine distribution to remote primary healthcare facilities across the 361 wards of the state.
She added, however, that the agency had introduced digital reforms, including an electronic ordering system, while additional vehicles had been procured to improve the last-mile delivery of medicines to healthcare facilities.
