Maiden State Council on Health

I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to the Maiden Katsina State Council on Health (SCH) Meeting. The theme of the event is "Building a Resilient Health System in Katsina State: Challenges, Opportunities, and Sustainable Solutions". This is the first-ever State Council on Health since the creation of Katsina State in September 1987, and it represents a significant milestone in our shared commitment to advancing healthcare and improving the wellbeing of our communities. Over these 3 days, stakeholders in the healthcare industry will exchange ideas, share expertise, and chart a course for a healthier, more equitable future for the people of Katsina state.

The National Council on Health recommends that States establish State Council on Health to help coordinate and improve healthcare services within their jurisdiction. The establishment of the Katsina State Council on Health was facilitated by the State Ministry of Health following due consultations. The council is envisaged to serve as a platform for collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to address public health issues, improve healthcare delivery, and promote health equity. By bringing togetherkey stakeholders, State Council on Health can help identify priorities, develop strategies, and implement policies that will benefit the health and well-being of all residents. Therefore, it is important to prioritize the establishment and functioning of this council to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to healthcare management and delivery.

I am aware of 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.

Ladies and gentlemen, in our humble effort to fulfill the covenant with the people of Katsina State, we have strategically increased our funds releases to the health sector by over 800%, amounting to N3.77 Billion between June 2023 and April 2024.

Within the first year of this administration, our modest achievements in human capital development include approving the commencement of residency training for Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology (O&G), and Pediatrics. We have awarded foreign scholarships to

graduate students who attended public schools to study MBBS. Similarly, we have released the sum of N112.5 million for 546 medical students as allowances for the year 2023, both at home and abroad. To re-train and retain our doctors, we have approved the Upgrade and full implementation of the new residency training allowance for medical doctors in the State. We have also approved the engagement of visiting professors and Consultants for Medical Residency Training. Accreditation has been granted by the MDCN for the Department of O&G (Maternity) Turai Umaru Yar'adua MCH Katsina.

On equipment, instruments and apparatus intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, or prevention of diseases, we have taken a giant stride to provide the same to our hospitals. On this undertaking, we have been able to secure 10 containers of medical supplies worth 10 Million Dollars from the World Medical Relief Headquarters. The equipment, including MRI equipment and CT Scans, is being shipped to Nigeria and will be onshore very soon. Again, to have a systematized collection of patient and population health information electronically stored in a digital format, we have expanded over 152 Million Naira for cloud-based EHR This was intended to increase transparency, portability, and accessibility of medical records. We prioritize providing free Medicare and consumables worth over 120 Million Naira to pregnant women, including accident and C/S victims.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have not neglected the infrastructure component of healthcare. We concur that infrastructure is necessary for the effective day-to-day functioning and provision of primary healthcare to the population. As such, we embarked on several projects to ensure the delivery of our mandate. We have constructed a soon-to-becommissioned 16-bed capacity state-of-the-art dialysis Centre at the Gen. Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital. Similarly, we have released the sum of N599.9 million for the upgrade of Faskari Comprehensive Health Center to the status of a general hospital and over 700 million Naira for the completion of the Kafur General Hospital. We have also paid mobilization fees for the completion of General Hospital. I have directed the Ministry of Health to commence the process of the award of contract for the upgrade of the Charanci and Dandume Comprehensive Centre’s to the status of General Hospitals. Again, a new contract has been awarded for the construction of an imaging center. The aim is to introduce various technologies that can be used to view the human body and diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions. Previously, patients had to seek these services outside the state at a high cost. Additionally, we have distributed 198 Motorcycles for Routine Immunization Officers and Ward Focal Persons in collaboration with GAVI and UNICEF. We have facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of solar-powered boreholes in 10 Health Centers in Katsina State. Similarly, the current Administration has secured authorization from NPHCDA to disburse Direct Facility Funding (DFF) to an additional 204 BHCPF facilities following our intervention before which the request for the authorization lingered for two (2) years.

Likewise, we have ensured the disbursement of Basic Health Care Provision Fund Direct Facility Funding (DFF) to initial 156 PHC facilities for the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2023

amounting to N140,751,000.00. There was also disbursement of Basic Health Care Provision Fund Direct Facility Funding (DFF) to the newly authorized 204 PHC facilities for the fourth quarter of 2023 and first quarter of 2024 (Initial take-off DFF) amounting to N122,706,000.00. We have Conducted State Training of Trainers (SToT) for transitioning Voluntary Community Mobilisers (VCMs) to Community Health Influencers, Promoters, and Services (CHIPS) program to improve access and equitable coverage of Primary Health Care (PHC) Services.

In addressing malnutrition challenges in the State, we have committed over 200 million Naira to UNICEF as counterpart funding for the management of acute malnutrition. In our quest to serve our people, our administration has secured an additional one-year extension for the Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria (ANRIN) project that focuses on the prevention of malnutrition among, children under five, and pregnant and lactating mothers.

I am pleased to announce that the problem of drug shortages in our hospitals is now a thing of the past. We've taken a proactive approach and instituted administrative remedies. We have also provided almost 90 million Naira as a matching fund for the construction of a highquality pharmaceutical warehouse.

Dear ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members of the State Council on Health as I address you today and share our achievements, I want to reaffirm my administration's unwavering commitment to achieving universal health coverage for the people of Katsina State Health is a fundamental human right, and it is our duty as leaders to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services. I am proud to support the advice and recommendations of the State Council on Health, as we work together to improve the health outcomes of our people and build a stronger, healthier Katsina State. We look forward to the knowledge-sharing, networking, and transformative discussions that will unfold in the coming days.

Through strategic planning, collaboration with key stakeholders, and targeted investments in healthcare infrastructure and services, we will strive to ensure that no one is left behind in our quest for universal health coverage. Together, we can create a healthier and more prosperous future for all residents of Katsina State.lt is my honor to inaugurate the State Council on Health and declare the first session open.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work and let us continue to work together towards a healthier, more equitable future for our state.

Thank you! every citizen has access to quality healthcare services. I am proud to support the advice and recommendations of the State Council on Health, as we work together to improve the health outcomes of our people and build a stronger, healthier Katsina State. We look forward to the knowledge-sharing, networking, and transformative discussions that will unfold in the coming days.

Through strategic planning, collaboration with key stakeholders, and targeted investments in healthcare infrastructure and services, we will strive to ensure that no one is left behind in our

quest for universal health coverage. Together, we can create a healthier and more prosperous future for all residents of Katsina State. It is my honor to inaugurate the State Council on Health and declare the first session open.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work and let us continue to work together towards a healthier, more equitable future for our state.

Thank you!