546 Medical Students Receive Scholarship Allowances of 250 Million
Katsina To Get State-owned Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has declared that the state government invested over N5 Billion to improve healthcare infrastructure and services across Katsina State.
The Governor made this known while commissioning state-of-the-art Pharmagrade Warehouse and distribution of free Medicare and Motorcycles for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Surveillance.
Governor Radda also highlighted multiple strategic interventions which include launching a residency training programme for state-owned hospitals to strengthen human resources and an upward review of doctor’s training allowances.
In furtherance to this, the Governor revealed that the state administration has already released over 250 Million naira in scholarship allowances to support 546 medical students studying within Nigeria and abroad.
“Additionally, the 2025 budget has earmarked three hundred million naira to scale up the current drug revolving fund scheme. This will ensure broader coverage of health facilities across the state,” the Governor noted.
Similarly, the Governor disclosed the state government approval of substantial financial investments to support the Drugs and Medical Supply Agency. “The investments include N96 Million naira to enhance the drug revolving fund scheme and an additional N100 Million to extend the agency’s operational efficiency.
Speaking further, the Governor announced plans to construct a state-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company– the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria. “This project aims to manufacture essential drugs that are not only available but also affordable, while reducing external dependency and boosting local drug supply,” the Governor explained.
Governor Radda, however, expressed gratitude to the donor of Pharmagrade Warehouse Project, particularly UNICEF and the National Product Supply Management Chain Program, for selecting Katsina as a beneficiary.
Speaking on the features of the warehouse, Dr. Fatima Shuaibu, Executive Secretary of the State Drugs and Medical Supply Agency, said it contains cold rooms for thermolabile drug storage, a quality assurance laboratory, and a new drug information centre with a hotline for reporting fake and substandard drugs.
The renowned pharmacist observed that the warehouse project together with other programmes were the result of the approval of counterpart funding by the State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda.
Dr. Shuaibu, therefore, requested the Governor’s support in providing a more powerful generator or installing a mini-grid solar powered solution to adequately power the expanded facility.
The comprehensive healthcare infrastructure taken charge by Katsina State Government aligns with Governor Radda ‘Building Your Future’ blueprint which seeks to transform healthcare delivery, improve medical infrastructure and ensuring quality healthcare for all citizens.
