The Bauchi state government has initiated a N20 billion Bauchi Specialist Hospital upgrade project to enhance quality healthcare service delivery.
Gov. Bala Mohammed said this while performing the ground breaking ceremony of the project.
He said the project was part of strategic infrastructure intervention in the health sector aimed at improving access to quality healthcare delivery for the people of the state.
Mohammed said the N19.9 billion project would involve extensive renovation, expansion, and construction of new facilities in the hospital complex.
“The project is a comprehensive effort to modernise healthcare infrastructure across the state. It will ensure that our people, especially those in hard-to-reach areas, have access to affordable, quality medical services,” he said.
The project, which reached advance stage, would featured new consulting clinics, admission wards, laboratories, seminar rooms, operation theatres.
Others included the construction of 130 housing units for clinical and non-clinical staff, solar lighting systems, internet and communication facilities, modern furniture and equipment.
Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said the government has approved the solarisation of 20 general hospitals across the state.
He said the project was designed to address power supply challenges and improve healthcare service delivery.
The initiative, he said, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to health institutions to enhance the efficiency of healthcare operations.
“We want to avoid the problem of power supply. The governor directed that all primary healthcare facilities should be provided with permanent and regular power supply,” he said.
Also, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Dambam, said the government has awarded a contract for the construction of Accidents and Emergency complex at General Hospital Alkaleri.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to improve healthcare infrastructure and enhance access to quality healthcare services in the state.
In Gombe State, the government renovated and equipped five general hospitals as part of its annual healthcare infrastructure improvement programme.
Executive Secretary, Gombe State Hospital Services Management Board, Dr Mohammed Abdulkadir, said the initiative has transformed healthcare delivery through improved infrastructure, modern medical equipment, and better working conditions for health personnel.
He listed the projects to include the reconstruction of the General Hospital Kumo, which was upgraded to the Federal Medical Centre, Kumo.
Abdulkadir said new Accident and Emergency units, administrative blocks, road networks were constructed at Kaltungo, Gombe, Bajoga and Dukku General Hospitals.
He said the facilities had been equipped with laboratory and radiology equipment, ward furniture, and other essential facilities, leading to improved patient care and service delivery.
The secretary said arrangements had been concluded to rehabilitate Deba and Billiri General Hospitals under the next phase of the programme.
“The policy of renovating at least one general hospital in a local government area every financial year has enabled the government to gradually modernise healthcare facilities across the state,” he said..
Abdulkadir said the programme has recorded visible results in communities, thus improving access to quality healthcare services for residents.
In Jigawa, at the General Hospital Dutse, there’s an ongoing improvement of healthcare delivery via infrastructure upgrades and free maternal healthcare services that reduced patient congestions.
Some of the patients at the facility, said the healthcare revitalisation programme initiated by Gov. Umar Namadi’s administration had eased hardship in accessing quality services.
They also noted that the revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in rural communities further reduced pressure on secondary health facilities in the state.
Deputy-in-Charge of the Maternity Clinic, Dutse General Hospital, Mrs Sadiya Hassan, said only complicated cases, referrals and patients, who preferred treatment at the facility now accounted for most admissions.
She said the facility has continued to record a high number of deliveries, with adequate personnel to cater for patients.
According to Hassan, delivery-related services and medications are being provided free of charge under the government supported healthcare programmes.
“Everything related to delivery services is free. Women with severe bleeding, convulsions or those who lost their babies, also receive free treatment from admission to discharge, through the state and federal government interventions.
“A new maternity complex, comprising maternity ward, labour room, postnatal section and theatre, is under construction.
“The new complex will bring together all maternity-related services in one location,” she said.
