Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency-KSPHCA

03/09/2026

The Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP) today debriefed the Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency (KSPHCA), Dr. Shaima’u Kabir Abba, following a joint monitoring visit to assess the implementation of the WHO New Nutrition Guidelines being piloted in Katsina State.

The engagement provided an opportunity to review progress, share observations, and appreciate the commitment of the Katsina State Government and its partners towards strengthening nutrition interventions and improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable women and children across the State.

01/09/2026

Katsina State Takes Strong Action Against Illegal Sale and Misuse of RUTF

The State Task Force on the Misuse of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) today held a critical meeting at the Hon. Commissioner of Health’s Conference Hall, chaired by the Commissioner of Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua.

The meeting focused on strengthening efforts to stop the illegal sale, diversion, and misuse of RUTF across the state.

RUTF is a life-saving therapeutic food provided free of charge for children suffering from acute malnutrition. It is not for sale. Selling or diverting it denies vulnerable children access to a product that can save their lives.

The meeting resolved to:

• Reactivate LGA-level Task Force Committees
• Intensify community sensitization and awareness
• Strengthen monitoring and enforcement
• Conduct advocacy visits to security agencies
• Deploy mobile court enforcement against offenders

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence Corps, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, and other relevant partners.

This united effort demonstrates Katsina State’s commitment to protecting nutrition commodities and ensuring that RUTF reaches the children for whom it is intended.

RUTF is not for sale. Let us protect it, report misuse, and save children’s lives.

01/09/2026

FEEDBACK MEETING WITH THE HON. COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH ON JSI INCEPTION MEETING AND SIGNING OF MOU

Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA) held a feedback meeting with the Honourable Commissioner for Health following the inception meeting with the leadership of John Snow Incorporated (JSI) on Routine Immunization (RI) Strengthening and Polio-related Interventions in Katsina State.

The engagement provided an opportunity to brief the Honourable Commissioner on the proposed interventions, key areas of collaboration, and strategies for strengthening Routine Immunization performance, improving identification and vaccination of zero-dose and under-immunized children, and supporting polio eradication efforts across the state.

The meeting also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizing the collaboration between the relevant stakeholders and establishing a framework for effective implementation, coordination, monitoring, and sustainability of the planned interventions.

The engagement underscores the commitment of the Katsina State Government and its development partners to improving immunization coverage and strengthening primary healthcare services for better health outcomes across the state.

01/09/2026

The Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA), in collaboration with UNICEF, today, 1st September 2026, conducted a Media Dialogue on the Promotion of Nutrition Behaviours and Sensitization on the Diphtheria Outbreak at the Classic Event Center, Dutsin-Safe, Katsina.

The meeting brought together relevant stakeholders, including representatives from electronic, print and social media, as well as the National Orientation Agency, to strengthen their understanding of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) and their role in improving health and nutrition outcomes across Katsina State.

Key areas discussed included SBC in nutrition, the nutrition situation in Katsina State, the First 1,000 Days of Life, community engagement, and practical approaches to improving nutrition awareness and access to essential services.

In addition, the media engagement provided an opportunity to discuss and highlight the diphtheria situation in Katsina State, with emphasis on prevention, vaccination, early recognition of signs and symptoms, prompt care-seeking, community sensitization, and the importance of sharing accurate health information.

Media personnel were encouraged to use their various platforms to support risk communication and community mobilization, address misinformation, and promote positive health-seeking behaviours, particularly among parents, caregivers, and affected communities.

The meeting underscores the commitment of the Katsina State Government, through KSPHCA, with support from UNICEF, to strengthening community-based Social and Behaviour Change interventions, improving nutrition outcomes, and supporting effective community engagement in response to public health challenges, including diphtheria.

31/08/2026

Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA) has held an inception meeting with JSI to discuss proposed Routine Immunization (RI) and polio-related interventions in Katsina State.

The meeting focused on strengthening Routine Immunization performance, identifying and vaccinating zero-dose and under-immunized children, sustaining gains from polio eradication efforts, and improving coordination between RI and polio interventions across the State, LGAs, and health facilities.

The engagement brought together key State stakeholders and partners to ensure a shared understanding of the interventions and establish effective coordination for successful implementation.

KSPHCA remains committed to working with partners to close immunization gaps and ensure that every eligible child in Katsina State is reached with life-saving vaccines.

31/08/2026

Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA), in collaboration with UNICEF, today, 31st August 2026, conducted a State-Level Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strengthening in Nutrition for Community Structures at the Classic Event Center, Dutsin-Safe, Katsina.

The meeting brought together relevant stakeholders and community structures to strengthen their understanding of nutrition and the role of Social and Behaviour Change in improving nutrition outcomes across Katsina State.

Key areas discussed included the overview of SBC in nutrition, the nutrition situation in Katsina State, the First 1,000 Days of Life, community feedback mechanisms, referral tracking, and practical next steps for strengthening community engagement.

The session provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences, discuss challenges, and identify practical approaches for improving nutrition awareness, community participation, referrals, and access to appropriate nutrition services.

The initiative underscores the commitment of the Katsina State Government, through KSPHCA, with support from UNICEF, to strengthening community-based approaches and promoting better nutrition outcomes for women and children across the state.

31/08/2026

Katsina State Government Commissions Additional Diphtheria Isolation Centre

The Katsina State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has commissioned an additional isolation and treatment centre for diphtheria patients as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s response to the outbreak.

The new centre, located at the General Amadi Rimi Specialist Orthopaedic Hospital, Katsina, is aimed at increasing the state’s capacity to provide care for affected patients and reducing congestion at the existing diphtheria isolation centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina (FTHK).

The centre was commissioned by the Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, on behalf of the Executive Governor.

Speaking during the event, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA), Dr. Shaima’u Kabir Abba, disclosed that the diphtheria isolation centre at FTHK has a capacity of 16 beds, all of which are currently occupied.

She explained that the limited bed capacity necessitated the establishment of additional isolation facilities to ease congestion and improve the quality of care provided to patients.

Dr. Shaima’u further disclosed that 67,670 people have so far received diphtheria vaccination across Katsina State, as part of the ongoing emergency response measures aimed at preventing further spread of the disease.

She emphasized the importance of vaccination, early detection of suspected cases, prompt reporting, referral, and adherence to infection prevention and control measures.

Similar isolation facilities have also been established in the Funtua and Daura zones to bring diphtheria response and treatment services closer to affected communities.

The commissioning reflects the commitment of the Katsina State Government and its health sector partners to protecting lives, strengthening outbreak response, and ensuring timely access to essential healthcare services.

The event was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Government House, Hon. Mukhtar Saulawa; Chairman of Rimi Local Government Area, Hon. Muhammad Ali Rimi; Chairman of Batagarawa Local Government Area, Hon. Yahaya Lawal Kawo, as well as other government officials, health workers, partners, and stakeholders.

30/08/2026

KSPHCA BRIEFS MEDIA ON DIPHTHERIA OUTBREAK, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CONTAINING THE OUTBREAK IN KATSINA STATE

The Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA) has held a press briefing on the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in the State, providing journalists and the general public with an update on the current situation and the measures being implemented to contain the spread of the disease.

The briefing, held on Sunday, 30 August 2026, at the PHC Coordination Centre of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, was led by the Acting Executive Secretary of KSPHCA, Dr. Shaima’u Kabir Abba.

During the briefing, the Acting Executive Secretary provided an overview of the outbreak situation, highlighting the increasing number of suspected cases reported across the State and the Local Government Areas with the highest disease burden.

As of 28 August 2026, suspected diphtheria cases had been reported across 29 LGAs, with Funtua recording the highest burden, followed by Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura.

Dr. Shaima’u explained that the State Government, through the KSPHCA and the State Emergency Preparedness and Rapid Response Team, has continued to strengthen its response in collaboration with the NCDC, NPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO and other development partners.

Reactive Vaccination Response

The briefing highlighted the ongoing reactive vaccination exercise, which commenced on 25 August 2026 and is targeting 15 high-risk wards across five LGAs: Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia.

The vaccination intervention is aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and reducing the risk of further transmission in affected communities.

Strengthening Case Management

The State has also designated three additional isolation centres as part of efforts to improve the management and containment of suspected cases.

Essential medicines and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) commodities are being distributed to health facilities in high-risk areas, while emergency response teams and vaccines have been deployed with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and NPHCDA.

Challenges in Containing the Outbreak

The Acting Executive Secretary identified some of the major challenges affecting the response, including suboptimal routine immunisation uptake, late presentation of suspected cases at health facilities, and the risk of cross-border transmission along communities bordering the Niger Republic.

She therefore called on parents, caregivers, community leaders and the general public to support the ongoing response by ensuring that eligible children receive routine and recommended vaccinations and by seeking medical attention promptly when symptoms of diphtheria are observed.

Public Health Advisory

Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant and report to the nearest health facility immediately if they or their children develop symptoms such as high fever, severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling of the neck, or a thick greyish or whitish membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose.

The public was further advised not to attempt home treatment for suspected diphtheria, as early presentation and appropriate medical care can save lives and help prevent further transmission.

The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Katsina State Government, development partners, health workers, communities and the media to strengthen surveillance, vaccination, case detection, treatment and public awareness efforts until the outbreak is brought under control.

The KSPHCA also appreciated the continued support and collaboration of its partners and the media in disseminating accurate, timely and life-saving information to communities across Katsina State.

Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency — Protecting Lives Through Primary Health Care.

30/08/2026