…..DMSA Records 400% Growth in Drug Revolving Fund Under Radda, Executive Secretary Reveals
By SIDES Media
In a significant step towards strengthening healthcare delivery in Katsina State, Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare as he flagged off the distribution of free medicare commodities and medical equipment donated through Project CURE to health facilities across the state.
The distribution ceremony, held in Katsina, underscored the government’s ongoing investment in healthcare infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and reforms aimed at improving access to lifesaving medicines and medical services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Speaking during the event, Governor Radda described the intervention as another milestone in his administration’s healthcare transformation agenda.
“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,” the governor said.
He explained that the donated medicines and medical equipment would strengthen hospitals across the state by improving service delivery, enhancing the capacity of healthcare facilities, and equipping frontline health workers with the resources required to provide quality healthcare services.
Governor Radda stressed that expanding access to healthcare remains one of the defining priorities of his administration, noting that quality healthcare should never be determined by a citizen’s financial status or geographical location.
“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.”
He noted that the intervention would significantly reduce the financial burden faced by vulnerable families struggling to afford medical treatment while improving health outcomes across Katsina State.
As part of broader healthcare reforms, Governor Radda announced that funding for the state’s Free Medicare Programme has increased by 207 percent, enabling more eligible residents to benefit from free healthcare services across the state.
He further highlighted several strategic investments aimed at strengthening the Katsina State Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency (DMSA), 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 across the state’s 361 upgraded Primary Healthcare Centres.
The governor also disclosed that approval had been granted for the recruitment of additional personnel to strengthen pharmaceutical production, warehousing, logistics, inventory management, and quality assurance systems.
According to him, these reforms form part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improve medicine supply chains, and ensure that government investments translate into better healthcare outcomes for citizens.
Governor Radda commended Project CURE for its continued collaboration with the Katsina State Government, describing the partnership as one that would leave a lasting impact on healthcare delivery.
He also charged benefiting health facilities to ensure prudent management of the donated medicines and equipment.
“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 (DMSA), Pharmacist Fatima Shuaibu, presented an overview of the agency’s achievements since the commencement of Governor Radda’s healthcare reforms in 2023.
She disclosed that the agency’s workforce had expanded from 34 to 70 personnel, while the Drug Revolving Fund had recorded an impressive 400 percent growth.
According to her, healthcare facility coverage has increased by 900 percent, expanding from just 50 facilities to nearly 200 health facilities currently benefiting from the programme across the state.
Shuaibu further revealed that the agency has successfully established pharmaceutical-grade warehouses through government support and has commenced the production of extemporaneous pharmaceutical products, which already contribute approximately 10 percent of the agency’s internally generated revenue.
She also announced significant expansion of the state’s Free Medicare Programme, noting that the initiative now covers more pregnant women, children under five years of age, malaria treatment, as well as free snakebite anti-venom and anti-rabies treatment.
“The Free Medicare Programme has increased by 207 percent 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,” she said.
The Executive Secretary highlighted the agency’s ongoing digital transformation, including the introduction of an electronic medicine ordering system and the procurement of additional vehicles to strengthen last-mile delivery of essential medicines to healthcare facilities across Katsina.
She also revealed that 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 percent, elevating DMSA from the “Emerging” category to the “Maturing – Not Ready to Integrate” level.
Looking ahead, Shuaibu disclosed that the agency’s pharmaceutical production plant is nearing completion and is expected to commence production of six oral dosage formulations before the end of the year.
She expressed optimism that the facility would not only improve the availability of quality medicines within Katsina and beyond but also generate substantial revenue for both the agency and the state government.
While appreciating Governor Radda’s consistent support for healthcare reforms, she appealed for additional government intervention to provide reliable electricity for pharmaceutical-grade warehouses and establish regional warehouses to improve medicine distribution to remote primary healthcare facilities.
The event attracted senior government officials and key stakeholders in the health sector, including the Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe; the State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua; the General Manager of the Katsina State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Nasir Mohammed Shehu, alongside development partners and other government functionaries.
The ceremony reflects Katsina State’s growing commitment to building a resilient healthcare system through strategic investments, strengthened pharmaceutical supply chains, expanded free healthcare programmes, and partnerships that continue to improve access to quality healthcare for all residents.
