Katsina State, known for its cultural and historical heritage, is facing a severe health crisis, especially in rural areas where access to quality health services is severely limited. Many communities are suffering from deteriorating health care facilities and residents are in dire need of support.
The report highlights the state’s alarming situation in which some communities endure substandard health services, highlighting the root causes of the crisis, its impact on people and the need for urgent intervention. I’m doing it.
According to statistics, there are more than 1,900 public health facilities in Kastina, including two tertiary hospitals and 34 general health facilities. Most of these facilities focus on primary health care, which is essential to serving a wide range of rural populations.
However, despite the large number of facilities, only 10 facilities function as quality of care (QoC) learning centers and only 12 facilities have functional laboratories. This means there are only a few centers that provide high standards of care and serve as training grounds for medical professionals. While there are many remaining facilities, they lack the resources and expertise needed to consistently provide high-quality service.
Essentially, many facilities lack basic medical equipment, essential medicines, and trained personnel. The situation is further exacerbated by a shortage of health care workers, with some facilities operating with just one or two staff to serve large numbers of people.
The results are devastating. Patients are often forced to travel long distances to receive basic medical care, leading to delayed treatment and worsening health conditions.
Mortality rates, especially for women and children, are distressingly high.
Residents are appealing to the government to address the poor state of medical facilities. Without urgent intervention, the situation risks becoming a humanitarian crisis.
A visit to Barda Murtala community in Kayauki Ward, Batagarawa Local Government reveals that access to quality healthcare has become a luxury. The only primary health care facility lacks basic equipment, and residents continue to suffer in silence.
The facility is severely understaffed, with only one health care worker and two part-time staff managing more than 30 patients each day. Most patients are being treated for malaria, cholera and other illnesses on makeshift mats due to a lack of beds.
Lawal Sani, the health worker in charge, expressed concern about the lack of facilities and resources.
“We lack basic facilities such as beds, toilets, and essential supplies. The government only provides malaria drugs and test kits. We have to purchase other necessary items ourselves.” he said, calling on authorities to take responsibility and provide adequate health infrastructure.
Community leader Mahamadou Sani also reiterated his call for urgent intervention, pointing to the facility’s dilapidated structure and inadequate resources. “Our medical center was built 17 years ago and has not been renovated yet. We have been trying to get the government’s attention but all have failed,” he said.
In nearby Dan Yau, medical facilities have been abandoned for years and the land is now used for agriculture. Residents are also appealing to the government to repair structures and restore essential health services.
Governor Umar Radda is committed to improving healthcare by strengthening facilities and building a resilient primary healthcare system that caters to all residents of the state.
“Our focus is to build a resilient primary health care system that serves all of our state’s residents. From April 2024, the total amount reached 3.77 billion naira.
“This fund is utilized in a variety of areas, including human resources development, primary health care, medical oncology, pediatrics, and scholarships for medical students.
It has also provided allowances worth NOK 100 million to 510 domestic and international medical students. Additionally, we are providing 10 container trucks with $10 million worth of medical supplies from our World Relief headquarters in Michigan, including MRIs, CT scans, and other essential medical tools.” Ta.
Katsina people have a right to quality health care, but it remains to be seen whether these efforts will bring about much-needed change.
to the state health care system.
