Health
THE Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has donated a 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano to strengthen healthcare services in Northern Nigeria.
The medical diagnosis equipment was inaugurated and handed over to the management of the hospital on Thursday in Kano.
Speaking at the event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo-Ojulari, said the intervention reflected the company’s commitment to improving lives through strategic investments in critical sectors including healthcare, education and energy.
Bayo-Ojulari, represented by the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said the company remained committed to its corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
He said the foundation had embarked on a series of healthcare projects in line with the company’s goal of contributing to national development.
“The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, is a vital institution in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape with a long-standing reputation in trauma and orthopaedic care.
“Strengthening its diagnostic capacity will significantly improve service delivery and reduce the burden of accessibility and affordability on patients,” he said.
Bayo-Ojulari noted that Nigeria’s healthcare system continued to face challenges, including infrastructure deficits, equipment shortages and increasing demand for specialised services.
He said the intervention would enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve patient care outcomes.
The NNPC chief urged stakeholders to ensure proper utilisation, protection and maintenance of the equipment to guarantee its sustainability.
The Executive Vice-President, Business Services, NNPC, Mrs Sophia Mbakwe, said the MRI machine would significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to diagnose complex orthopaedic, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, leading to better treatment outcomes.
Mbakwe, represented by the Executive Director, Programme Management, NNPC Foundation, Engr. Rose Okonkwo, said the intervention will ensure that advanced healthcare services are more accessible and affordable to residents of Kano and beyond.
Also, the Managing Director NNPC Foundation Limited, Mrs Arukwe, represented by the Executive Director, Programme Development, NNPC Foundation, Dr Bala David, described the installation of the MRI machine as a major milestone in advancing healthcare delivery.
Arukwe said inadequate medical equipment remained a challenge in many developing countries, often resulting in delayed diagnosis, long-distance referrals and additional financial burdens on patients.
She said the MRI system would improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce treatment delays and support better clinical outcomes.
Earlier, the Medical Director of the Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr Isa Nurudeen, described the donation as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the hospital.
He said the absence of an MRI machine had compelled patients to travel long distances for advanced diagnostic services, leading to delays in treatment and increased costs.
Nurudeen said the new MRI machine would significantly improve diagnosis and treatment planning for orthopaedic, neurological, surgical, paediatric and gynaecological conditions.
“The MRI machine being commissioned today is the most modern in Northern Nigeria. It was manufactured in 2025 and will greatly enhance our capacity to deliver quality specialised healthcare services.
“This intervention will save patients the stress and cost of seeking advanced imaging services outside Kano and will improve the quality and timeliness of care,” he said.
The medical director commended the NNPC Foundation for the donation and pledged the hospital’s commitment to ensuring proper utilisation and maintenance of the facility.
In his remarks, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, described the donation as timely and impactful.
Kabir-Yusuf lauded the NNPC Foundation for supporting healthcare delivery and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and services to improve the wellbeing of citizens.(NAN)
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Tags: MRI Machine National Orthopedic Hospital dala NNPC Foundation