Commissioning of the dialysis centre and groundbreaking of the medical imaging centre, General Amadu Rimi Specialist Hospital

It is with great pleasure and profound gratitude that I stand before you today to mark a significant milestone in the healthcare sector of our beloved Katsina State. Today, we gather here to celebrate the commissioning of the Katsina Dialysis Center and the foundation laying ceremony of the Medical Imaging Center. These state-of-theart facilities signify our unwavering commitment to improving healthcare services and ensuring the well-being of our citizens. The establishment of the Katsina Dialysis Center is a testament to our dedication to providing specialized care for individuals suffering from renal diseases. This center will not only offer lifesaving dialysis treatments but also serve as a beacon of hope for those in need of critical care. By investing in such essential healthcare infrastructure, we are taking a significant step towards enhancing the quality of life for our people.

The decision to build a new Dialysis Center stems from a pressing need within our community. Chronic kidney disease affects a significant number of individuals, and the demand for dialysis treatments continues to rise. The first dialysis center with 5 machines was established in Katsina by Julius Berger as part of their corporate social reasonability in 2002 and was commissioned by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR during the tenure of Late Mal. Umaru Musa Yar'adua as the Governor of the State. However, 22 years down the line, these machines have worn out and their parts are becoming difficult to come by. By establishing this new center, with newly advanced machines we are addressing a critical gap in our healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that those in need have access to life-saving treatments and care.

Secondly, my administration was alarmed by the indices of patient traffic at the old center and rising cases of renal diseases. The data indicated that 1,227 patients have undergone free hemodialysis over the last 22 years, including 796 (64.9%) males and 431 (35.1%) females. Most of the patients (41.9%) were in the 20-29 years age group, which is the productive age group. Most of the patients were from Katsina LGA (28.0%), Batagarawa (4.7%). Kankia (4.5%), Jibia (4.4%) and Funtua (4.2%). Thus, due to these numbers, patients are not getting adequate

number/hours of three sessions or 48 hours hemodialysis per week. Without access to timely and regular dialysis treatments, individuals with kidney disease will continue to face serious health complications and a diminished quality of life.

By building this new Dialysis Center, we are not only providing a dedicated space for essential medical treatments but also offering a beacon of hope for those in need. This center will serve as a sanctuary for patients, where they can receive compassionate care, support, and expertise from our dedicated healthcare professionals.

Furthermore, the establishment of this new center underscores our commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of our community members. We believe that every individual deserves access to quality healthcare services, and by investing in this Dialysis Center, we are upholding that belief and ensuring that no one is left behind in their time of need. In order to make the center sustainable, we are providing an operational framework with less dependence on government.

On the other hand, the foundation laying ceremony of the Medical Imaging Center marks another historic phase in our healthcare development agenda. This center will house cutting-edge medical imaging technologies that will enable accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of various medical conditions. With this facility, we aim to strengthen our healthcare system and empower our healthcare professionals to deliver superior medical services to the people of Katsina State by early detection, prevention, and precision medicine. Once it is completed, the era of patients traveling far and wide with attendant humongous expenses will be over in Katsina State. Finally, your Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen, I have aligned my administration with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative, which is a federal government-led effort aimed at revitalizing and improving the healthcare system in Nigeria. The initiative focuses on addressing key challenges in the health sector, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to healthcare services, and poor health outcomes through a sector-wide approach. This approach is fully in harmony with our blueprint that is geared towards the attainment of universal health coverage. In this regard, we have made a strategic investment of billions of Naira in improving our infrastructure, boasting the manpower of the health sector as well as provision of essential drugs in all our facilities. This is the covenant we have with the people of Katsina State. My administration will not shirk away from its responsibility.

Mr. President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, my task in life has been marked out for me. I have traveled to all the wards of the state and have entered into a covenant with the people. I am on the path of fulfilling these pledges, and in sha Allah I will honor them.

Mr. President, if not for your many commitments I would have loved to take you to Faskari, Kafur, Zango, Charanci, and Dandume local governments to perform similar functions as a testament to our unwavering efforts in the provision of efficient, affordable, accessible healthcare services to the good people of Katsina State.

I thank our Commander-in-Chief for attending and blessing this historic event. I appreciate the Vice-President and their Excellencies for this encouraging presence.

I pray to Allah (SWT) to heal the sick, guide us and give us the strength to continue serving our people, and make Katsina and the nation peaceful and prosperous.

Thank you all.