By Felicia Udeji
In a bold and urgent move, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has ordered the immediate closure of all private healthcare institutions across the state, citing major safety and quality concerns.
The decision, announced by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health, Umar Mammada, during a Monday press briefing, comes in response to alarming findings about the substandard and often illegal operations of numerous private health facilities.
“Katsina State has witnessed a surge in private health training institutions, many of which are unregistered and pose serious risks to public safety,” Mammada stated. “The Governor’s directive aims to protect citizens from these unsafe establishments.”
The closure, which affects all private health institutions, will remain in effect until a complete re-evaluation and fresh registration process is carried out. Proprietors are required to present themselves with necessary documentation from Thursday, 24th to Friday, 25th of this month for verification by a special committee.
Mammada stressed that the shutdown is essential to restore standards and protect public health. “This is not just a regulatory issue, it’s about the lives and safety of our citizens,” he warned.
The government promises to ensure a swift and transparent process for re-registration, vowing to hold every institution accountable to strict legal and health standards.