Radda deploys 68 health fellows across Katsina’s 34 LGAs

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has urged 68 beneficiaries of the National Health Fellowship Programme to use their professional skills to improve healthcare planning and service delivery across the state’s 34 local government areas.

The governor gave the charge on Tuesday during the graduation of 34 fellows from the programme’s first cohort and the inauguration of another 34 fellows under the second cohort.

According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, on Wednesday, the programme is part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, empower young people and develop human capital.

Radda said the fellows were expected to support data collection, identify gaps in healthcare services and provide reliable information to guide government decisions.

“Our young people have the talent, knowledge and capacity to contribute meaningfully to the development of our state. What they need are opportunities, the right training and an enabling environment to demonstrate their abilities,” he said.

The governor stressed that the beneficiaries were selected through screening, examinations and interviews, insisting that his administration would not compromise merit in public appointments.

“We believe in merit and equal opportunity. Those selected must earn their positions through competence, dedication and hard work. We will not compromise established procedures or sacrifice merit for personal interests,” Radda stated.

He said reliable data was crucial to identifying healthcare needs, allocating resources effectively and measuring the impact of government interventions.

“I expect the fellows to use their skills to support informed decisions, strengthen healthcare planning and improve health outcomes, particularly at the grassroots level,” he added.

Radda said his administration remained committed to strengthening primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions to improve access to essential medical services.

He commended the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for introducing the fellowship programme, while acknowledging the state Ministry of Health and other agencies for supporting its implementation.

The governor congratulated the graduating fellows and urged the incoming cohort to uphold professionalism, discipline and integrity in carrying out their duties.

“You are ambassadors of your respective local government areas and Katsina State as a whole. I urge you to discharge your responsibilities professionally and remain committed to improving the lives of our people,” he said.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, said the programme was equipping young professionals with the skills needed to improve health sector planning, monitoring and implementation.

Funtua explained that the fellows were deployed across the 34 local government areas after a rigorous, merit-based selection process to support data collection, information gathering and healthcare monitoring.

“Accurate information helps government identify gaps, determine priorities and ensure that interventions reach the communities where they are most needed,” he said.

He commended Radda for supporting healthcare reforms and creating opportunities for young people to contribute to public service.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Mohammed Ibrahim Safana, disclosed that the fellows had supported the enrolment of 140,000 poor and vulnerable residents under the state’s contributory healthcare scheme.

Safana said the beneficiaries helped the agency reach underserved populations, particularly residents of remote communities.

“The fellows played an important role in reaching vulnerable residents during the enrolment exercise. We appreciate their commitment and the support they provided in helping us extend healthcare coverage to people in our communities,” he said.

He disclosed that the agency planned to work with the second cohort on the next phase of enrolment, expected to begin in November 2026, with activities scheduled across the state’s 361 wards.

Safana said the agency would continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders to expand healthcare coverage and improve access to services across the state.

Those present at the ceremony included a former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; members of the State Executive Council; heads of ministries, departments and agencies; health sector representatives; and members of both fellowship cohorts.