Hussaini Ibrahim 
KATSINA, Nigeria – The Katsina Free Medicare Programme has received a major boost after Governor Dikko Umaru Radda flagged off the distribution of free medicines and medical equipment donated through Project CURE, as the state intensifies efforts to expand access to quality healthcare and strengthen its medicine supply chain.
The intervention is expected to improve healthcare delivery in public hospitals, reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and support ongoing reforms across primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Katsina on Thursday, Governor Radda says the donation marks another milestone in his administration’s healthcare reform agenda.
“Our administration believes that every citizen deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of financial status or place of residence. This conviction continues to guide our investments in the health sector,” Radda says.
He says the medicines and equipment will strengthen hospitals and equip healthcare workers with the resources needed to deliver quality services.
The governor also announces that funding for the Katsina Free Medicare Programme has increased by 207 per cent, allowing more pregnant women, children and other vulnerable groups to benefit from free healthcare services.
Radda says the state has completed a pharmaceutical production line, expanded medicine distribution with additional delivery trucks and commenced the Drug Revolving Fund Programme across 361 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres.
He adds that the government has approved the recruitment of additional personnel to strengthen pharmaceutical production, warehousing, quality assurance, logistics and inventory management.
Earlier, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency, Pharmacist Fatima Shuaibu, says the agency’s Drug Revolving Fund has grown by 400 per cent since 2023, while the number of health facilities covered has increased from 50 to about 200.
Shuaibu says the agency has established pharmaceutical-grade warehouses, introduced an electronic medicine ordering system and expanded free healthcare services to cover more pregnant women, children under five, malaria treatment, anti-snake venom and anti-rabies treatment.
She also announces that the state’s pharmaceutical manufacturing plant will begin operations before the end of 2026 with six oral dosage formulations, a move expected to improve medicine availability and generate additional revenue.
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Korede Abdullah 
Mirian Gom 
