•As CSOs decry manpower shortage in Katsina hospitals

•Say many operating without basic tools

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced plans by his administration to secure an additional N50 billion worth of Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation And Hygiene (SURWASH) Projects.

Radda who disclosed this Thursday while inaugurating eight boreholes-based water supply schemes in Katsina metropolis said his government will secure the funds this year for the execution of water projects in the state.

In a health sector related development, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina State have decried what it termed alarming manpower shortage and lack of functional life-saving equipment at primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the state.

The CSOs said medical doctors, nurses, consultants and technologists had abandoned hospitals in the state due to poor remuneration and other impediments in search of greener pastures elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Governor Radda said the SURWASH funds will scale up the government’s efforts in providing potable water to underserved communities across the state, enhance existing infrastructures and ensure resilience in water supply for both urban and rural areas.

He added his administration has invested heavily in the water supply scheme and explored global solutions, including the World Bank supported SURWASH project, where over N25 billion worth of water projects are being implemented in the state.

Radda said: “Since the beginning of this administration, we have prioritised heavy direct investment in the water scheme, implementing transformative projects that address both urban and rural water challenges.

“Through strategic collaboration, we have explored global solutions, including the World Bank supported SURWASH project for results, where over N25 billion worth of water projects are currently at various stages of completion in the state.

“This significant intervention reinforces our resolve to ensure sustainability, efficiency and accessibility in water governance. In furtherance to this mission, we are set to procure an additional N50 billion worth of water projects this year under the SURWASH programme.”

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Bashir Gambo-Saulawa, said the state government has provided sustainable and clean water to communities in over 10 local government areas of the state.

He reiterated that Governor Radda’s revolving efforts in tackling water scarcity in the state has brought what he termed tangible improvements in providing clean and safe water to rural and urban centres.

He stated that government’s investment in the water supply scheme will accelerate the state’s journey towards universal access to clean water, improving public health and fostering economic growth across the state.

Gambo-Saulawa said his Ministry will continue to advance the government’s water supply initiatives and explore innovative solutions to improve water accessibility and expand supply coverage in the state.

On his part, the Managing Director of Katsina State Water Board, Dr. Tukur Hassan Tingilin, said the state government has rehabilitated eight water supply schemes at the cost of N3,080,102.866.00.

“The eight number water supply schemes rehabilitated by the state government are Sabuwar Unguwa, Rahamawa/Abbatoir, Makera Quarters, Bayan NYSC, Tudun Yan Lihidda, Dutsen-Safe, Barhim Housing Estate and FMC Housing Estate”, he said.

He explained that 70,000 residents of the benefiting communities will be supplied with adequate and clean drinking water with targeted supply time of not less than six hours per day.

He added that committees have been inaugurated in the benefiting communities to ensure the functionality and sustainability of the projects, noting: “In addition, grievances redress committees were also formed to mediate and end crisis at the various community level.”

Meanwhile, addressing journalists on the mid-term of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration on Tuesday night, the state Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina, AbdurRahman Abdullahi, said the brain drain has affected healthcare service delivery in the state.

He said: “Despite the achievements recorded in the health sector so far, there are some teething challenges that we believe could be obstacles to attaining the overall objectives of this administration in the sector.

“Among such is an alarming human resource gap at the primary and secondary healthcare levels in the state. Two key facilities – Turai Yar’Adua Maternity and Children Hospital and General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital – are severely affected by the brain drain.

“Many qualified, high ranking and hard to find health professionals, including consultants, nurses and technologists have exited the system over time due to poor welfare conditions, wrong posting, retirements or better opportunities elsewhere.”

Abdullahi reiterated that despite the manpower shortage and the overburden on the remaining few health workers in the state, there was no commensurate recruitment by the Radda-led government to bridge the vacuum.

He said Turai Yar’Adua Maternity and Children Hospital and General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital (GARSH) are severely affected by the brain drain, adding that inadequate funding has also crippled the hospitals’ equipment and other essential services.

At GARSH, he said, essential diagnostic equipment, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scan machines are non-functional and the government has not provided funds for the hospital to repair or replace them.

“Beyond GARSH and Turai Yar’Adua Hospitals, many general and primary healthcare hospitals across the state continue to operate without basic modern medical tools and life-saving equipment.

“This limits their ability to provide comprehensive care at their level, especially in emergencies, leading to avoidable referrals and patient fatalities”, he added.