Katsina spent N2.4b on training 41 students in Egypt

The Katsina State Government yesterday revealed that it spent N2.4 billion to sponsor 41 students to study Medicine (MBBS) in Egypt.

The initiative was part of efforts to address the shortage of medical doctors in the state.

Deputy Governor Farouk Lawal disclosed this while addressing reporters, noting that the funds covered tuition, accommodation, transportation, and other expenses for the students.

Lawal highlighted the state’s ongoing challenges in securing adequate numbers of medical doctors and other health professionals. He added that over 250 health personnel had recently been recruited as part of measures to tackle the issue.

Additionally, the government has expanded and upgraded 146 primary healthcare facilities across the state’s 34 local government areas, converting them into fully functional centres. Four comprehensive health centres in Rimi, Faskari, Danmusa, and Zango local councils were also upgraded for N3.7 million.

The deputy governor said the General Amadi Rimi Hospital in the state capital had been upgraded and equipped with modern dialysis machines at the cost of N681 million, positioning it as one of the best in the country.

To enhance the availability of essential medicines, drugs worth over N3 billion were procured from reputable pharmaceutical companies and distributed to healthcare centres across the state.

He further disclosed that a modern pharmaceutical company is currently under construction at the cost of N1.6 billion. Lawal assured residents of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.