DMSA Records 400% Growth in Drug Revolving Fund Under Radda, Says Executive Secretary
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has flagged off the distribution of free medicare commodities and medical equipment donated under Project CURE to hospitals across the state.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Katsina, the governor said the intervention marked another milestone in his administration’s efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system through strategic partnerships and sustained investment in the health sector.
Governor Radda said the medicines and equipment would improve service delivery, strengthen the capacity of hospitals and provide healthcare workers with the tools needed to offer quality medical services.
He said, “Today’s event marks another important milestone in our administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to quality healthcare for our people. It also reflects the strong partnership between the Katsina State Government and Project CURE in our shared commitment to saving lives and improving health outcomes.”
According to him, the intervention will also reduce the financial burden on vulnerable families who struggle to afford the cost of treatment.
“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,” the governor said.
Governor Radda further disclosed that his administration had increased funding for the state’s Free Medicare Programme by 207 per cent, allowing more eligible residents to benefit from free healthcare services across Katsina.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency, including the completion of a pharmaceutical production line, expansion of logistics capacity through additional delivery trucks, and the commencement of the Drug Revolving Fund Programme in the state’s 361 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres.
The governor revealed that additional personnel had been approved for recruitment to strengthen warehousing, pharmaceutical production, quality assurance, logistics and inventory management.
“These initiatives form part of our broader healthcare reform agenda aimed at improving health infrastructure, strengthening the healthcare supply chain and ensuring that government investments translate into better healthcare services for our people,” he said.
Governor Radda commended Project CURE for its continued partnership with the state, describing the collaboration as one that would make a lasting difference in the lives of residents.
He also urged all benefiting health facilities to ensure that the medicines and equipment were properly managed and used strictly for their intended purposes.
“Our administration will continue to monitor their distribution and utilisation because government resources must always serve the people for whom they are intended,” he added.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency, Pharmacist Fatima Shuaibu, said the agency had witnessed remarkable growth since the beginning of the current administration’s healthcare reforms in 2023.
She disclosed that the agency’s workforce had increased from 34 to 70 personnel, while the Drug Revolving Fund had grown by 400 per cent. She added that facility coverage had expanded by 900 per cent, from 50 to about 200 health facilities across the state.
Shuaibu also said the agency had fully established pharmaceutical-grade warehouses in collaboration with the state government and had commenced the production of extemporaneous pharmaceutical products, which currently contribute about 10 per cent of its internally generated revenue.
She said, “The Free Medicare Programme has increased by 207 per cent and has now been expanded to cover more pregnant women, children under five, malaria treatment, as well as free snake venom and anti-rabies treatment across the state. We are the first to implement this initiative.”
The Executive Secretary noted that the agency had introduced digital reforms, including an electronic ordering system, while additional vehicles had been procured to improve the last-mile delivery of medicines to healthcare facilities.
According to her, the National Product Supply Chain Management Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health recently assessed the agency and awarded it an overall score of 71 per cent, moving it from the “Emerging” category to the “Maturing – Not Ready to Integrate” level.
She further disclosed that the agency’s pharmaceutical production plant was nearing completion and would commence the production of six oral dosage formulations before the end of the year.
“We expect the production plant to contribute significantly to the revenue of both the agency and Katsina State while improving the availability of quality medicines within and outside the state,” she said.
Shuaibu, however, appealed to the governor to support the provision of reliable electricity for pharmaceutical-grade warehouses and the establishment of regional warehouses to improve medicine distribution to remote primary healthcare facilities.
She thanked Governor Radda for his consistent support, saying the administration’s investments had transformed healthcare delivery across Katsina State and improved access to essential medicines for thousands of residents.
Dignitaries at the event include Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe; State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua; General Manager, Katsina State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Nasir Mohammed Shehu among other top government functionaries and health stakeholders.
