The Federal Government opened an upgraded Emergency Operations Centre in Katsina State on Friday.
The facility will bolster disease surveillance, immunisation efforts, and polio eradication work across the state. It was delivered by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency with support from the Gates Foundation and eHealth Africa.
Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, Executive Secretary of Katsina State's Primary Health Care Development Agency, spoke at the inauguration.
He said the expansion strengthens emergency coordination and healthcare response capability statewide.
According to him, the centre started as a Polio Emergency Coordination Centre only. It's now been upgraded to manage all types of public health emergencies in the state.
Yahaya noted the facility is part of projects showcased during activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration's third anniversary. The centre comes equipped with modern communication systems and operational tools for rapid outbreak response.
It has reliable electricity and strong internet connectivity. Health professionals, development partners, and emergency response teams now have a proper working environment.
The agency head explained that demand for better coordination of public health issues drove the expansion. Managing challenges beyond polio required a more comprehensive approach, he added.
Yahaya said the new facility would quicken response mechanisms during health crises. Katsina's capacity to tackle public health challenges has now been significantly improved.
