…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, calling it a historic step in his administration’s drive to bring quality healthcare closer to the people.
This was contained in a statement signed by Ibrahim kaula Mohammad chief press secretary to the Governor, issued to newsmen.
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda said the facility, upgraded from a Comprehensive Health Centre, is the first General Hospital ever sited in Zango.
“For the first time in the history of this local government, our people will access quality secondary healthcare without traveling 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 top priority of his administration. In the last three years, the government has upgraded four health facilities in Kafur, Charanchi, Zango and Dandume to General Hospitals. Upgrades in Mai’adua and Faskari are nearing completion.
He also disclosed that reconstruction is ongoing at General Hospital Daura, while General Hospitals Kankara and Mani are undergoing renovation.
To strengthen specialist care, 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 announced the establishment of a modern 16-bed Dialysis Centre, described as one of the most advanced in North-West Nigeria. An ultra-modern Ophthalmology Division is also under construction at GARSH.
He said over 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 ensure steady electricity.
In a major boost to local production, Governor Radda announced that Katsina is on the verge of establishing its first pharmaceutical manufacturing centre to produce drugs and medical consumables.
On manpower, he said 804 healthcare professionals have been recruited in three years. For the first time, six specialist hospitals in the state have been accredited to run postgraduate residency training 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 allow internship training.
On medical education, he said 41 state-sponsored MBBS students in Egypt are in their third year. A second batch has been sent to Ethiopia, while a third batch will 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 health workers.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, described the commissioning of the General Hospital as another major milestone in Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s healthcare transformation agenda.
He said the project reflects the administration’s strong commitment to expanding access to quality, affordable and people-centred healthcare services, especially 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 ease pressure on major hospitals across the state.
He added that the administration’s numerous developmental projects provide a strong basis for seeking the people’s support for Governor Radda’s re-election.
Speaking on behalf of the people of the area, 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 services, 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 State 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, traditional and party leaders.
