Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Saturday flagged off the distribution of $1.7 million medical consumables and equipment donated by Baitulmaal and Sector-Wide Approach, Programme (SWAP) of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Baitulmaal donated medical consumables valued at about $1.5million while the Sector-Wide Approach Programme provided hospital equipment valued at approximately $200,000.
The items were distributed to General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres across Katsina State to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality health services.
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda expressed appreciation to Baitulmaal for its continued support to Katsina State.
“This is not the first time Baitulmaal has supported our state. We sincerely appreciate this continued partnership and commitment to improving the lives of our people,” the Governor said.
He also acknowledged challenges in clearing and transporting the donated supplies, and commended all those who helped resolve them.
He particularly appreciated former Special Adviser and clearing agent, Umar Dangi, and others who played key roles.
On the SWAP intervention, Governor Radda commended the Ministry of Health and relevant institutions for ensuring Katsina met the required budget performance and health-sector reform conditions to benefit from the programme.
He directed all beneficiary health facilities to ensure proper utilisation, maintenance and protection of the equipment and consumables.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, described the intervention as another milestone in the state’s health-sector reforms.
He said that the SWAP support was secured through the state’s compliance with national health-sector requirements and assured that the Ministry would ensure effective utilisation of the items.
The Executive Secretary of the Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency, Fatima Shuaibu, said the consumables and equipment being distributed will support quality care for patients.
Dr. Shuaibu also disclosed that the state government has released ₦115 million under the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, ANRiN, Project to procure commodities for reducing malnutrition among children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
She recalled previous interventions through Project CARE and World Medical Relief which provided over 10,000 hospital equipment items.
In his remarks, Baitulmaal Leader, Dr. Ahmed Ali Khalil, said the organisation is committed to building a stronger partnership with Katsina State.
He added that the partnership will go beyond medical supplies to include other developmental programmes.
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