Katsina Gains From $7.94m Investment In Primary Healthcare
By Joe Goddy, Katsina
Katsina State’s healthcare sector has received a major boost with a $7.94 million investment from the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI) and UNICEF under the Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding (PHC MoU) Programme.
The three-year initiative, which significantly improved healthcare services in the state, was officially concluded and handed over to the Katsina State Government in a ceremony attended by top government officials, development partners, and stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah, commended the Katsina State Government for its strong commitment to healthcare development.
Despite security challenges in the region, he noted that the programme achieved remarkable milestones, including a significant reduction in under-five mortality rates, expanded vaccination coverage, improved maternal healthcare, and increased health insurance access for vulnerable populations.
One of the programme’s most notable achievements was the decline in under-five mortality rates, which dropped from 188 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 105 per 1,000 in 2024. Vaccination coverage also improved, with Penta 3 vaccine coverage increasing from 33.7% in 2018 to 53.3% in 2023.
Additionally, over 335,000 children were immunized against measles in 2024, reducing the number of zero-dose children in the state.
Maternal healthcare also saw significant progress, with over 305,752 pregnant women receiving antenatal care in 2024—a 98% increase. More than 68,466 mothers benefited from skilled birth attendance, ensuring safer deliveries.
The programme also expanded health insurance coverage, reaching 28,811 vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women and mothers of children under five, across eight local government areas through 74 primary healthcare centres.
Moreover, 683,721 adolescent girls were immunized against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), achieving a 99% coverage rate.
This initiative, the first of its kind globally, is part of a broader GAVI-UNICEF effort to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, with Katsina being one of eight participating states.
It prioritizes direct engagement with state governments to enhance healthcare services and reach underserved populations.
The Katsina State Government contributed approximately N1billion to co-finance the programme, demonstrating its commitment to sustaining healthcare improvements beyond donor support.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda expressed gratitude to GAVI and UNICEF for their support and the progress achieved, assuring continued government commitment to sustaining the partnership and optimizing the provided healthcare facilities.
