…MBBS Third Batch to be sponsored to Russia
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Thursday commissioned the new General Hospital in Zango Local Government Area, describing the facility as a historic step in his administration’s efforts to bring quality healthcare closer to residents.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Radda said the facility, which was upgraded from a Comprehensive Health Centre, is the first General Hospital established in Zango Local Government Area.
“For the first time in the history of this local government, our people will access quality secondary healthcare without travelling long distances,” the governor said.
He added that the hospital is equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment equipment for medical and surgical services.
Governor Radda said healthcare remains a major priority of his administration, noting that four health facilities in Kafur, Charanchi, Zango and Dandume have been upgraded to General Hospitals over the last three years.
He added that upgrades in Mai’adua and Faskari are nearing completion, while reconstruction is ongoing at General Hospital Daura. General Hospitals Kankara and Mani are also undergoing renovation.
To strengthen specialist healthcare services, the administration has renovated operating theatres at General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, Turai Yar’adua Maternal and Children Hospital, and General Hospital Katsina.
The governor also announced the establishment of a modern 16-bed Dialysis Centre, which he described as one of the most advanced in North-West Nigeria. An ultra-modern Ophthalmology Division is also under construction at General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital (GARSH).
According to Radda, more than 280 Primary and Comprehensive Healthcare Centres have been renovated across the state. Solar power installations have also been completed at General Hospitals Katsina and Kankia to provide more reliable electricity.
In a major boost to local healthcare production, Governor Radda announced that Katsina is on the verge of establishing its first pharmaceutical manufacturing centre for the production of drugs and medical consumables.
On healthcare manpower, the governor said 804 healthcare professionals had been recruited over the past three years.
He added that, for the first time, six specialist hospitals in the state had been accredited to run postgraduate residency training programmes in Paediatrics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The governor also approved funding for the accreditation of Dental Therapy Units in five General Hospitals to enable internship training.
On medical education, Radda disclosed that 41 state-sponsored MBBS students studying in Egypt are currently in their third year, while a second batch has been sent to Ethiopia. He added that a third batch of students would be sponsored to Russia.
“These investments are deliberate. Our goal is a healthcare system that serves every citizen, no matter where they live,” Radda said.
He urged residents of Zango to protect the new facility and support healthcare workers in delivering services to the community.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, described the commissioning as another major milestone in Governor Radda’s healthcare transformation agenda.
He said the project demonstrated the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality, affordable and people-centred healthcare, particularly for rural and underserved communities.
Also speaking, the Katsina State APC Chairman, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, said the hospital would significantly improve healthcare services for women, children and expectant mothers.
He commended Governor Radda for upgrading health facilities and recruiting more healthcare workers, noting that the new hospital would help reduce pressure on major hospitals across the state.
Saulawa also said the administration’s developmental projects provide a strong basis for seeking public support for Governor Radda’s re-election.
Speaking on behalf of residents, the Chairman of Zango Local Government Council, Hon. Babangida Aliyu Yardaje, thanked Governor Radda for fulfilling his promise to establish the first General Hospital in the local government.
He described the project as a historic intervention that would improve access to quality healthcare, reduce the need for residents to seek treatment outside Zango and enhance the wellbeing of the people.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; APC National Legal Adviser, Barr. Murtala Kankia; District Head of Zango, Alhaji Hafiz Adamu Malkan Daura; members of the State Executive Council; and traditional and party leaders.
Author
