Brigade supports rural healthcare centre in Katsina, boosts immunisation and maternal services
By Zagazola Makama
The 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has continued to support healthcare delivery in rural communities of Katsina State through the provision of drugs, medical equipment and infrastructure to primary healthcare facilities.
Health workers at a supported clinic in Natsinta Village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State disclosed to Defence Correspondents on Tuesday that the intervention by the brigade had significantly increased patient turnout and improved immunisation, maternal and child healthcare services.
The officer in charge of the clinic, Mrs. Hafsat Ailu, said the facility provides immunisation services for children, women of childbearing age and other vulnerable groups, including tetanus and diphtheria vaccination.
“Immunisation is being carried out here for children. Today, we are also administering tetanus and diphtheria vaccines for young children and women of childbearing age, including those within the 15 to 49 years age bracket,” she said.
She explained that the clinic attends to between 30 and 45 patients daily, with proper records maintained for all consultations, treatments and immunisation activities.
“We keep records here and later transfer them appropriately. We also use the consultation room for patient assessment and dispensing of drugs,” she added.
Ailu said the clinic’s improved performance was largely due to the support received from the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, which provided essential medical supplies and carried out renovation works at the facility.
According to her, the brigade supplied drugs, injections and hospital equipment, renovated sections of the clinic, constructed staff toilets, installed water storage facilities and provided other essential items.
“They supported us with drugs, injections, hospital equipment, built staff toilets, installed a water tank and provided other important things needed in the hospital. They also supplied bedsheets, curtains and renovated parts of the facility,” she said.
She added that the brigade also supported the facility with additional infrastructure, including a borehole and improvements to the intensive care unit.
The clinic officer noted that before the intervention, patient turnout was lower, but the availability of drugs and improved facilities encouraged more residents to seek medical care.
“After they provided the drugs and other support, the number of patients increased. Sometimes we receive more than 50 to 65 patients in a day,” she said.
However, she appealed for additional support from the local government authorities to complement the efforts of the military.
“We have not received support from the local government. Most of the support we are getting is from the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army,” she said.
The health workers said the collaboration between the military and the community had improved access to healthcare services, particularly for women and children in the area.
Katsina State is free from criminal activities and all forms of insecurity,” he said.
Also The Village Head of Natsinta, Alhaji Ibrahim Natsinta, commended the Commander of the 17 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. M. I. Ibrahim, for extending free healthcare services to the people, describing the intervention as a timely and life-saving initiative that has improved access to quality medical care in the community.
The traditional ruler said the community had repeatedly appealed for assistance from the local government without success, leaving residents to grapple with inadequate healthcare services. According to him, the intervention by the Nigerian Army filled a critical gap and has become “a lifesaver” for the people.
He noted that beyond strengthening security, the brigade had demonstrated genuine concern for the welfare of civilians through its civil-military cooperation programmes.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Habiba Sani, who received antenatal care at the facility, expressed appreciation to the 17 Brigade for the free medical services. She said the intervention spared her the hardship and cost of travelling to distant hospitals for routine care.
“The services are completely free, and we are very excited. It has saved us a lot of stress because we no longer have to go elsewhere for antenatal treatment,” she said.
