Bauchi, Gombe, and Jigawa states have launched a combined N20 billion healthcare infrastructure upgrade aimed at transforming service delivery across secondary and primary health facilities.
Bauchi’s N19.9bn Specialist Hospital Revamp
Governor Bala Mohammed broke ground on the N19.9 billion modernisation of Bauchi Specialist Hospital, part of a strategic intervention to expand access to quality care, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
“This is a comprehensive effort to modernise healthcare infrastructure. It will ensure affordable, quality medical services reach our people,” Mr Mohammed said.
The project includes new consulting clinics, admission wards, laboratories, seminar rooms, operating theatres, 130 housing units for staff, solar lighting, internet connectivity, and modern furniture.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, revealed that 20 general hospitals would be solarised to tackle persistent power supply issues. “The governor has ordered permanent, regular power for all primary healthcare facilities,” he said.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Dambam, added that an Accident and Emergency (A&E) complex is under construction at General Hospital, Alkaleri.
Patient concerns
At Ningi General Hospital, patients welcomed the upgrades but called for more security guards. Fatima Inuwa said: “Health workers are left to restrict unauthorised movement. Moving to the lab at night for tests is difficult due to poor security.”
Babayo Garba, whose child is treated at Bauchi Specialist Hospital, urged more hygiene staff, while Labara Shehu described the facility as overstretched with excessive noise causing patient discomfort.
Gombe’s annual hospital renewal
In Gombe, five general hospitals have been renovated and equipped under an annual local government-based improvement programme. Mohammed Abdulkadir, Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Hospital Services Management Board, said General Hospital Kumo has been upgraded to a Federal Medical Centre.
New A&E units, administrative blocks, and road networks were built at Kaltungo, Gombe, Bajoga, and Dukku hospitals, complete with laboratory and radiology equipment. Deba and Billiri hospitals are next.
Mr Abdulkadir admitted a shortage of doctors remains a major challenge, driven by global skilled migration. “A conducive environment boosts patient confidence and motivates staff. We are consulting on measures to strengthen the workforce,” he said.
Patients at Kaltungo General Hospital praised the Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth) for easing drug access. Ayuba Musa noted: “More patients now visit public hospitals. Some are not even from Gombe State.”
Jigawa: free maternal care eases congestion
In Jigawa, checks at General Hospital, Dutse, show that infrastructure upgrades and free maternal healthcare services have reduced patient congestion. Sadiya Hassan, Deputy-in-Charge of the Maternity Clinic, said only complicated cases and referrals now account for most admissions.
“Everything related to delivery services is free. Women with severe bleeding, convulsions, or who have lost their babies, receive free treatment from admission to discharge,” she said. A new maternity complex is under construction.
Fatima Abdullahi, a woman in labour, said: “I have been here for two days and have not paid for any service.”
Sulaiman Abdullahi, a senior nursing officer in paediatrics, reported that severe malaria and acute malnutrition are the most common conditions. Between 80 and 85 per cent of medications are free. He appealed for more therapeutic nutritional products (F-75 and F-100), as demand sometimes outstrips supply.
At the A&E unit, nurse Mariya Abdullahi said oxygen shortages occasionally occur during peak malaria season (August–September). A new A&E unit is being built.
Hajara Alkasim, whose daughter is being treated for sickle cell complications, praised staff responsiveness and cleanliness but expressed concern over drug costs. “I paid N300 for the file. Some medicines were free, but I had to buy several prescribed drugs since admission four days ago,” she said.
(NAN)