By MS Ingawa
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, Ph.D., CON, has placed the health sector at the very heart of his administration’s Building Your Future development agenda. Guided by the belief that a healthy population is the foundation of productivity and social progress, the Radda-led government has launched a strategic transformation of Katsina State’s healthcare system—strengthening infrastructure, developing human capacity, and ensuring equitable access to quality care for the Katsina people.
From the onset, the administration recognized that no health system can thrive without a skilled and motivated workforce. In line with this, the government recruited more than 700 new health professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other cadres of health workers, to enhance service delivery across secondary healthcare facilities. Building on this momentum, another 1,020 healthcare personnel are being recruited to man the newly renovated and existing Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state. To boost morale and attract the best hands, the entry-level salaries of medical doctors were reviewed upward, while residency allowances were enhanced to improve retention and performance.
The government has also made remarkable progress in developing a strong pipeline of healthcare professionals for the future. Residency training programs in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine have been successfully introduced in key hospitals across the state, with the government fully covering accreditation and licensing fees for all medical residents. Building on this milestone, Governor Radda has also approved the Phase II Postgraduate Medical Residency Training (MRT) accreditation in Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Radiology, with full funding of the entire process. This brings the total number of departments commencing residency training to six within just two years, an unprecedented achievement for any tertiary health institution in Nigeria.
In another visionary step towards long-term sustainability, over 40 Katsina indigenes have been sponsored to Egypt to study Medicine (MBBS), ensuring a continuous pipeline of qualified doctors for the state. To further support medical education, Governor Radda approved more than 50% increase in medical students’ allowances, improving their welfare and motivation. In addition, the government continues to sponsor medical specialists for advanced training abroad as part of a comprehensive and strategic program that integrates undergraduate training, postgraduate residency, and international specialization opportunities. This deliberate investment in human capital is already yielding results, guaranteeing at least two qualified doctors in each of the 26 General Hospitals across Katsina State.
Infrastructure development remains one of the defining hallmarks of the Radda administration. With a strategic investment exceeding N13.45bn, over 260 primary healthcare facilities have been constructed, upgraded, and equipped across all 34 local government areas of the state. Complementing these efforts are the comprehensive renovations and upgrades of comprehensive health centres to general hospitals in Faskari, Kafur, Charanchi, Zango, Mai’adua, and Daura; bringing quality healthcare closer to rural and urban communities alike.
The drive for modernization has also transformed Katsina State’s healthcare institutions. The relocation of the Psychiatric Hospital and the College of Nursing and Midwifery to their permanent sites has significantly improved operational efficiency and reduced long-term costs. The state-owned tertiary health institutions (Colleges of Nursing with campuses in Katsina and Malumfashi, and the College of Health Sciences with campuses in Kankia and Daura) have also received massive infrastructural upgrades, including the construction of new female hostels and renovation of existing infrastructure in all four satellite campuses. All accreditation and licensing fees were covered by the government. To address the perennial shortage of water supply, solar-powered boreholes were constructed, and modern teaching materials were provided.
In another strategic move, the government has also embarked on the digitalization of health records in seven pilot hospitals, laying the groundwork for a modern, data-driven health system that supports better planning, management, and service delivery.
To enhance energy reliability across health facilities, the state has begun installing alternative power sources through solar systems. The recently commissioned 300KW solar installation at the General Hospital, Katsina, has completely transformed the facility, providing uninterrupted 24-hour electricity and boosting the hospital’s operational capacity across all departments. Plans have already been concluded to replicate similar solar systems in other pilot and general hospitals across the state.
In addition, the government has renovated the operating theatres and laboratory units of major specialist hospitals, including the Turai Yar’adua Maternal and Children Hospital (TUYMCH), the General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital (GARSH), and the General Hospital, Katsina, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, surgical capacity, and overall patient care.
Determined to reduce medical tourism and ensure access to world-class healthcare within the state, the Radda administration has completed a state-of-the-art Dialysis Centre at the General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, valued at over N680m. Work is also advancing on a modern Imaging and Diagnostic Centre worth more than N13bn, another ambitious and gigantic project that will make Katsina a regional hub for advanced medical care in Northern Nigeria and beyond.
In August 2025, another milestone was recorded when GARSH successfully conducted the first-ever cardiac pacemaker insertion in the state. This historic feat followed the procurement of the latest model C-arm imaging machine and full logistical support provided by His Excellency, Governor Radda, to host the visiting medical experts.
In line with its people-centered healthcare ideology, the government has also launched a free surgical program for patients suffering from typhoid perforation across the state. So far, over 200 patients have undergone successful operations at no cost, with the initiative still ongoing. Additionally, plans have been finalized to upgrade existing malnutrition stabilization centres and establish two new ones in selected general hospitals, further strengthening care for vulnerable groups, particularly children.
To guarantee a steady supply of essential medicines and medical supplies, the state’s Drugs and Medical Supply Agency has been strengthened and repositioned. Over N3.3bn worth of high-quality drugs have been procured and distributed across state and local government health facilities. In collaboration with the Global Fund, the government has converted an existing warehouse into a pharmagrade storage facility and is constructing the first-ever Pharmaceutical Production Unit in Northern Nigeria, another initiative that will position Katsina as a regional leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply.
Equity and compassion are central to Governor Radda’s healthcare philosophy. The administration has sustained the Free Medicare Policy, which covers antenatal care, child delivery, cesarean sections, dialysis, and other essential services, benefiting thousands of low-income families. So far, about N400m has been expended on the program. The government has also made significant strides in improving nutrition, committing over N1bn in matching funds since 2023 for nutrition commodities, and approving an additional N700m counterpart funding for the second phase of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, further demonstrating its commitment to the health of women and children.
Furthermore, to tackle the challenge of malnutrition, His Excellency promptly directed the distribution of 90,000 bags of assorted grains to families of malnourished children and other vulnerable households across the state. He also approved the establishment of Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) Centres in all 34 Local Government Areas to enhance the treatment of severe malnutrition cases. In addition, the government has commenced the process of establishing a Tom Brown manufacturing factory aimed at providing locally produced, nutrient-rich food supplements to support child nutrition and community health.
Public health and disease prevention have also received strong attention. The administration has spearheaded extensive immunization campaigns, reaching over 4.6m children in the just-concluded Measles Rubella Integrated Campaign, while intensifying preventive programs targeting malaria, Neglected Tropical Diseases, sickle cell anemia, and cervical cancer. The provision of motorcycles to field health workers and laptops to monitoring officers has improved supervision, mobility, and data-driven decision-making in the delivery of primary healthcare services.
In health financing, the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KTSCHMA) has achieved remarkable success under the Radda administration. Through an investment of over N3bn in capitation and fee-for-service, over 500,000 residents, including retirees and informal sector participants, now enjoy health insurance coverage. This remarkable achievement has earned Katsina consecutive awards from the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA), affirming the effectiveness of its contributory health scheme.
Governor Radda’s government has also strengthened international partnerships to complement domestic efforts and investments. The state secured a $10m donation of hospital equipment from World Medical Relief, USA, and another 10-container shipment of medical supplies from Project C.U.R.E. These global collaborations reflect the administration’s forward-looking approach and commitment to resource optimization in healthcare delivery.
From infrastructure to manpower development, from digital innovation to inclusive healthcare access, the Radda administration has set Katsina State on a new path of health sector transformation. The scale of investment, the precision of planning, and the enduring commitment to equity all reflect a leadership deeply invested in the welfare of its people.
It is in recognition of these remarkable contributions to the healthcare sector that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) honored His Excellency with the Meritorious Service Award at the 2024 AGM and Scientific Conference in Calabar. This prestigious award is clear evidence of his dedication and commitment to the medical profession.
As these initiatives continue to mature, Katsina’s healthcare system is rapidly evolving into one defined by resilience, efficiency, and inclusivity—proof that with vision, strategic planning, and political will, universal access to quality healthcare is not just a dream but an attainable reality for all.
MS Ingawa is the Senior Special Assistant to Katsina State Governor on Media and Strategy; and writes from Katsina.
