Katsina Dialysis Centre, A Hub for Medical Tourism in Nigeria 

In a country often overwhelmed by healthcare challenges, the Katsina Dialysis Centre, serves as an inspiration of hope and proof to the birth of a new hub for medical tourism in Nigeria, writes Francis Sardauna.

As part of his unwavering commitment to resuscitate the healthcare sector of Katsina State, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, has built, equipped and inaugurated a state-of-the-art ultramodern dialysis centre in the state.

Endowed with cutting-edge medical technology that meets the standards of advanced countries, the N761 million ultramodern dialysis facility which was inaugurated by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is located in General Amadi Rimi Orthopaedic Hospital, in the Katsina metropolitan area.

The 12-bed capacity centre also has distinct and globally acceptable fresenius 4008S model dialysis machines supported by a proactive and devoted medical team, comprising one consultant nephrologist, pharmacist and 12 trained dialysis nurses.

Equipped with modern medical equipment and administrative facilities, the centre will be providing high-quality healthcare services that can rival those found in medical tourism destinations. Reputable dialysis experts have already been employed by the state government to manage the affairs of the ultra-modern centre.

This centre, when fully commenced operation, will offer Nigerians access to superior medical care within their own country. It will significantly address their dialysis needs, thereby reflecting a substantial improvement in the state’s healthcare sector.

The project was born from the visionary mind of Radda, a key component of his “Building Your Future” blueprint, a roadmap that encapsulates his grand vision for the progress, development and prosperity of Katsina in all facets of governance.

Lack of political will by successive administrations to improve healthcare systems in the state and reverse the trend of medical tourism has exerted financial burdens on average citizens who need a high level of care, especially kidney-related illnesses.

Aside from affluent private individuals, many top state and federal government officials, in successive administrations, also embraced travelling abroad for kidney dialysis and treatment of other kinds of health conditions in their respective countries of interest.

But the transformative opportunity that has emerged with the establishment of this dialysis centre by Governor Radda will tackle the healthcare needs of such patients, and assist the state in making significant strides toward addressing its healthcare deficits and curbing the tide of medical tourism.

Thus, Radda’s vision to establish the state-of-the-art dialysis centre is not just an ambitious healthcare endeavour, but a potential game-changer aimed at bolstering the state’s healthcare system and building citizens’ trust in seeking healthcare in their state of origin.

Interestingly, this centre will not only serve the local community, but also stands as a beacon of advanced and sustainable healthcare accessible to people from across the country because of the exceptional equipment installed and the experts employed by the administration of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.

The project, which has been completed within the few months of Governor Radda’s administration, underscores his unfaltering commitment to the improvement and sustainable healthcare service delivery to the citizens of the state and other Nigerians irrespective of their political boundaries.

Moreover, with its advancements in medical technology and treatment methodologies of global repute, this soul-lifting dialysis centre will significantly reduce the dependency on foreign medical systems. It will no doubt reduce the flow of top government officials to other countries of the world to treat kidney-related illnesses.

The benefits of this life-saving initiative of Governor Radda extend beyond the medical field, promising economic growth, social stability, and an improved quality of life for all citizens of the state. This centre and other projects so far awarded and completed by his government in the health sector have changed the sector.

      Project Excites Residents

For residents of the state, this is one of Governor Radda’s soul-lifting projects that will remain indelible in their hearts. According to them, Katsina State is now undergoing a remarkable transformation in the health sector.

They said that Radda’s vision, leadership and commitment to good governance have brought profound changes in both primary and secondary health facilities across the 34 local government areas of the state.

One of the residents, Kabir Usman Mohammed, said: “We are lucky to have Dikko Umaru Radda as our Governor. I assure you this dialysis centre is just the beginning of his journey to make Katsina a hub for medical tourism in Nigeria.”

He, however, urged the state government to leverage private sector expertise in healthcare management to improve service quality and patient satisfaction in the centre.

He also called for the expansion of healthcare access to the facility and to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population, beyond Katsina State, and ensure sustainable operation and maintenance of the dialysis centre. 

For Abubakar Sani, by leveraging this dialysis centre, Katsina State Government has a unique opportunity to stem the flow of medical tourism and build a self-sustaining, world-class healthcare system.

He emphasised that the inauguration of this soul-lifting project will no doubt reduce the flow of top government officials and business tycoons to other countries of the world to seek dialysis services. 

Another resident, Fatima Matazu said the establishment of the dialysis centre was a testament to Governor Radda’s commitment to fulfil the covenant he had with the people of Katsina State during the campaign.

She noted that in a country where medical tourism was fast becoming a culture among many Nigerians due to the deplorable state of the nation’s healthcare system, Governor Radda is breaking the yoke and shaping the healthcare system of Katsina state. 

On his part, Adamu Bello said: “Governor Radda’s developmental strides in healthcare and security stand as a testament to his dedication to the people of the state. The journey continues, and the future looks bright for Katsina State.”

Governor Radda Turning Katsina into Medical Tourism State –Commissioner

Also, the State Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu-Funtua, noted that the establishment of the 12-bed capacity dialysis centre has reaffirmed Governor Radda’s commitment to turning Katsina into a top destination for medical tourism in Nigeria. 

He explained that the centre and other bold steps taken by the state government were aimed at improving the health sector through innovation and technology.

Adamu-Funtua, who spoke at a function in Katsina recently, stressed the Katsina State Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and effective healthcare delivery system.

The commissioner said Governor Radda was making the state the hub of medical tourism and putting an end to the exodus of people moving overseas for health services.

“The dialysis centre and other healthcare projects so far executed by His Excellency, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda are making Katsina state the number one destination for medical tourism in Nigeria”, he added.

He disclosed that top-notch health professionals were already engaging the state government in the health sector, especially on the dialysis centre, saying the state is safely open for investment, business and partnership.

Meanwhile, while the health sector of other states in the country are still in doldrums, Governor Radda is turning his own state into a hub for medical tourism by establishing and equipping the dialysis centre with cutting-edge medical technology. 

                   Quotation 

“The 12-bed capacity dialysis centre with highly skilled nephrologist, pharmacist and dialysis nurses, if properly and professionally managed, will make Katsina State grow exponentially to become a multi-billion-naira medical tourism state.”