The health sector in Kebbi State has received a boost as the state executive council approved the rehabilitation of seven General Hospitals across the state at a cost of N4.05 billion.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Junaidu Marshall, who made this disclosure this while addressing journalist shortly after the council’s meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, state capital on Wednesday, said the approval was part of the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that hospitals were adequately equipped to serve the people.
Marshall names the benefiting hospitals to include those of Kambaza, Suru, Kamba, Dirin-Daji, Kangiwa, Koko, and Yauri.
“In addition to these, the Argungu General Hospital has already been rehabilitated and equipped with modern facilities to efficiently serve the people of the area.
“While other hospitals in Zaga, Zuru, Bunza, Gulma, Bena, Jega, Shanga, and Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi are either completed or undergoing rehabilitation,” Marshall confirmed.
According to him, a total of 16 general hospitals have been rehabilitated, in addition to the new approval of the seven hospitals under the administration of Gov. Idris.
The Attorney-General said the governor assured that, before the end of his tenure, all 30 general hospitals in the state would be rehabilitated and adequately equipped.
He also announced that the council had approved the release of N570 million to the Kebbi Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KECHEMA) for the registration of 45,000 vulnerable persons under the State Social Register.
“This means that each of the 225 wards in the state will register at least 200 vulnerable individuals.
“The effort will go a long way in advancing KECHEMA’s mandate of providing affordable healthcare for the poor,” he said.
The commissioner for justice also disclosed that, under the World Bank IMPACT project, the state had provided its counterpart funding for the rehabilitation of 73 primary healthcare centres across the state.
“To complement that effort, the council has also approved the rehabilitation of an additional 42 primary healthcare centres across the local government areas in line with national standards,” he said.
In addition to the, Marshall, also disclosed that the council also approved N407.5 million as a take-off grant for the Kebbi State Drugs, Medical and Consumable Agency, aimed at ensuring the availability of subsidised drugs in the state.
He appealed for the support and understanding of the people, assuring that the government remained committed to improving their living standards.
