By Abdullateef Bamgbose
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to collaborate with development partners to improve the lives of the state’s residents.
This commitment was made at Katsina State Government House, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of development partners led by the Deputy Incident Manager of the National Polio Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) Dr. Audu Musa.
During the meeting, Governor Radda expressed appreciation for the launch of an accountability framework in the state’s health sector. He emphasized that this framework would ensure all critical stakeholders meet expectations for improved service delivery. The Governor also indicated that the state government would consider implementing similar frameworks in other sectors to enhance overall performance.
Addressing the planned upgrade of the state’s emergency operation center, recently approved by Bill and Melinda Foundation, Governor Radda promised to make necessary budgetary provisions for its full utilization. This center, set to operate 24 hours a day, will respond to all emergency health-related cases, significantly improving healthcare accessibility for Katsina residents.
In response to concern about the increasing number of Circulating Variant Polio Virus in the state, the Governor directed the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency to collaborate with Ministry of Internal Affairs and other relevant security agencies so as to reach and vaccinate every eligible child in the state.
Dr. Audu Musa, leading the delegation, highlighted ongoing challenges, including the emergence of polio variants in some hard-to-reach areas due to current security issues. He stressed the need for the government to tackle the issue of Malnutrition and low routine immunization coverage .
Dr. Musa also commended Governor Radda for his efforts in repositioning the state’s health sector.
The visiting team, during their two-day working visit, engaged with various stakeholders including the First Lady of Katsina State, Hajia Zulaihat Dikko Umar Radda, local council chairmen, traditional rulers, and community members. Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahya, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, noted that these interactions provided valuable insights into areas where support is needed to improve immunization coverage and other healthcare-related issues.
Representatives from international donor agencies, including Dr. Sam Okiro from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, expressed appreciation for Governor Radda’s commitment to addressing security challenges, acknowledging the critical role of security in their operations within the state.
Governor Radda concluded by reiterating the state’s openness to partnerships that aim to better the lives of Katsina residents, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to achieving tangible results across all sectors.