The Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the Revive Belgian Mission, has launched a free medical exercise providing surgeries and treatment for various ailments across the state.
The exercise was launched on Monday in Katsina by Governor Dikko Radda, who said improving healthcare delivery is a top priority of his administration.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu, the governor stressed the importance of health, noting that “health is life.” He added that the government would continue to partner with international organizations to improve the wellbeing of its people, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
Governor Radda thanked the Belgian mission for not only agreeing to the initiative but also for coming to provide free surgeries and medical treatment across the state. He highlighted the government’s achievements in the health sector, particularly in health infrastructure, training and retraining of personnel, and subsidizing patient services.
Dr. Muhammad Nazir, General Manager of the State Hospital Services Management Board, said the mission would conduct free surgeries and medical treatments for patients with hernia, hydrocele, gynaecological conditions, and more. He added that the government also provides free typhoid fever surgeries and treatment to about 500 patients across the state.
“A single surgery costs about N45,000 per patient, but it is conducted free of charge by the government,” Nazir noted.
Dr. Herman De Gezelle, President of the Belgian mission, said the team traveled a long distance from Belgium to fulfil their promise and support patients in Katsina. He stated that the mission would provide free surgeries and dental extractions during the exercise.
Dr. De Gezelle also announced plans for further collaboration with the state government to provide free cancer treatment, particularly for breast cancer, and thanked the government for its support.
The exercise, which commenced on Monday, will run until December 14. Surgeries and medical treatments will be provided daily to patients from three Local Government Areas at the Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Hospital, Katsina, throughout the 14-day period.
