Interview with Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, Executive Secretary of Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency

A Comprehensive Overview of Health Sector Achievements Under the Leadership of Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda PhD, CON : Insights from Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, Executive Secretary of Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency (KTSPHC).

With Musa Abdullahi Sufi
SIDES Media

Katsina State has witnessed remarkable transformations in its healthcare sector under the leadership of Governor Mallam Dikko Umar Radda PhD. Within just over a year, the state has made significant strides in enhancing healthcare delivery, strengthening the health workforce, and improving access to essential medical services.

To gain deeper insights into these achievements, we sat down with Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency, who provided an in-depth evaluation of the government’s efforts using the Health System Building Blocks.

Dr. Yahaya highlighted the comprehensive approach taken by the Radda administration to address the multifaceted challenges in healthcare, even in the face of economic hardships and security concerns. His reflections offer a compelling look at how strategic leadership and targeted interventions are transforming healthcare in Katsina State.

INTERVIEW:

SIDES Media:
Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, as the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency, you have witnessed the significant strides made in the healthcare sector under Governor Dikko Radda. Could you provide us with an evaluation of these achievements using the Health System Building Blocks?

Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya:
Thank you for the opportunity to shed light on the remarkable progress we’ve made in Katsina State’s healthcare sector. Evaluating our efforts through the Health System Building Blocks, as outlined by the World Health Organization, allows us to appreciate the comprehensive and systematic approach taken by Governor Dr. Umar Dikko Radda. Let’s delve into each block:
1. Service Delivery
We have made significant strides in delivering healthcare services across the state, focusing on preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services. The upgrade of PHCs has been a priority, with 3 health facilities per Local Government Area (LGA) being upgraded to improve service delivery. These improvements include infrastructure, equipment, staff quarters, boreholes, solar lights and ambulances. We also strengthened Routine immunization to address vaccine-preventable diseases. To address the Malaria scourge, seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis across all 34 LGAs is been implemented at the peak of the rainy season. The establishment of a state-of-the-art dialysis centre and solarization of the state cold chain office is just an example of how we are enhancing service delivery to meet the needs of our people.
2. Health Workforce
The development and management of our health workforce have seen significant improvement. The residency training program has commenced in state-owned hospitals, and 42 indigenes who studied in public secondary schools across 34LGAs were fully sponsored to study MBBS abroad. Furthermore, 546 medical students received scholarships totaling 112.5 million Naira in 2023. The state has also implemented the reviewed residency training allowances, employed nurses, midwives, and other health workers, and engaged visiting consultants and professors. The engagement of 150 midwives under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the full implementation of CONMESS, including the skipping and consequential adjustment, are part of our commitment to ensuring a skilled and motivated health workforce.
3. Health Information Systems
We understand the importance of accurate data in informing health policies and decisions. We have established Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in secondary health facilities and introduced Biometric Information Systems in 34 CHCs. Our workforce is well-trained to feed information into the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) tools and the District Health Information System (DHIS-2). Additionally, we have provided laptop computers to Monitoring & Evaluation officers for data entry into DHIS-2, ensuring that we have reliable and timely data to guide our decisions.
4. Medical Products, Vaccines, and Technologies
The government has substantially invested in ensuring access to essential medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment. The state has released 90 million Naira as a matching fund for the construction of a pharma-grade warehouse and commenced the construction of a local pharmaceutical production unit worth. Our cold chain system has been solarized through the GAVI PHC MoU, and we have expanded the State Dry Store to accommodate more vaccine devices and tools. We also secured containers of medical equipment worth 10 million dollars, including MRI and CT machines, from World Medical Relief HQ.
5. Health Financing
To address out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure and ensure financial risk protection, we have strengthened the Katsina State Contributory Health Management Agency (KTSCHMA). So far, KTSCHMA has enrolled 264,991 beneficiaries through the formal sector program, 83,631 through the BHCPF, 11,613 vulnerable individuals, and 28,367 beneficiaries in Zero Dose LGAs through the GAVI PHC MoU. Additionally, 20,000 retirees will soon benefit from a retiree scheme. Over 140 million Naira has been disbursed to health facilities implementing both formal and informal sector programs. We have also increased health funding releases by ensuring all approvals have been released and cashed back.
6. Leadership and Governance
Leadership and governance have been central to our success. The first task His Excellency conducted after assuming duty was to conduct a comprehensive NEEDS assessment in the Health Sector ( Primary Secondary and Health Tertiary institutions) conducted the State Council on Health, and supported the state task force on PHC & PEI. An agency to coordinate development partners’ activities, ensuring alignment of resources with the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) was created.

Our commitment to accountability is evident in the functional Ward Development Committees (WDCs) in 361 wards and the establishment of an accountability mechanism across all health-related MDAs. Wide stakeholder engagement and multisectoral coordination have been critical in driving our health agenda forward.

SIDES Media:
The achievements you’ve outlined are truly remarkable. However, we understand that such progress is not without challenges. Could you share some of the challenges Katsina State has faced in maintaining healthcare standards, especially during these economically challenging times?

Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya:
Certainly, while we’ve made significant progress, we’ve also encountered challenges.
1. Balancing the Budget:
Maintaining healthcare standards with limited financial resources has been a challenge. The economic hardship has made it difficult to allocate sufficient funds to meet the rising demands for healthcare services.
2. Insecurity:
Insecurity in some parts of the state has affected access to and the utilization of healthcare services. Healthcare workers and patients alike face risks, which can deter the delivery of and access to essential services.
3. Public Expectations:
Managing public expectations during an economic downturn has been challenging. While we’ve made strides in improving healthcare, the public’s expectations are understandably high, and meeting those expectations with constrained resources is an ongoing challenge.
4. Healthcare Disparities:
Addressing inequalities in access to and quality of healthcare, particularly in marginalized communities, remains a significant issue. We are working hard to bridge these gaps, but it requires continuous effort and investment.

SIDES Media:
Despite these challenges, it is evident that Katsina State under Governor Dr. Umar Dikko Radda’s leadership has made monumental progress in the healthcare sector. What are your thoughts on the future of healthcare in Katsina State?

Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya:
The future of healthcare in Katsina State looks promising. With continued investment, innovation, and collaboration, we are on the path to achieving a healthcare system that is accessible, efficient, and equitable. Mallam Umar Dikko Radda’s commitment to healthcare is unwavering, and we are confident that with the foundations we’ve laid, Katsina State will continue to improve its healthcare outcomes, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

SIDES Media:
Thank you, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, for providing such a comprehensive overview of Katsina State’s healthcare achievements. It is clear that under Governor Dr. Umar Dikko Radda’s leadership, the state is making significant strides towards improving the health and well-being of its citizens. We look forward to seeing continued progress in the years to come.

Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya:
Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to share our journey with you, and we remain committed to making Katsina State a model of healthcare excellence.

Musa Abdullahi Sufi