Katsina State, renowned for its cultural and historical heritage, is grappling with a severe healthcare crisis, particularly in rural areas where access to quality health services is severely limited. Many communities are suffering due to the deteriorating condition of health facilities, leaving residents in dire need. This report sheds light on the alarming situation in the state, where some communities endure substandard healthcare services, uncovering the root causes of the crisis, its impact on the people, and the urgent need for intervention.
According to statistics, Katstina has over 1,900 public health facilities, including two tertiary hospitals and 34 comprehensive health facilities. Most of these facilities are focused on primary healthcare, which is essential in serving the widespread rural population. However, despite the large number of facilities, only 10 of them function as learning sites for Quality of Care (QoC), and 12 functional laboratories.
This means that just a few centres are equipped for high standards of care, and serve as training grounds for healthcare professionals. The rest of the facilities, while numerous, lack the resources and expertise needed to consistently deliver high quality services. In essence, many facilities lack basic medical equipment, essential drugs, and trained personnel.
The shortage of healthcare workers has worsened the situation, with some facilities operating with just one or two staff members to serve large populations. Th.