From Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
Bauchi State government has commenced comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade of the state specialist hospital with the sum of N19.99 billion aimed at revolutionising healthcare delivery.
Inaugurating the project at the hospital premises in Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammad said it is “the zenith of infrastructural integration in the health sector.”
The upgrade demonstrates the administration’s commitment to provide modern, accessible and affordable healthcare to all residents.
The project, to be executed by Architectronic Engineering Limited within one year, include complete renovation and expansion of the hospital’s infrastructure with 130 residential units for medical staff; environmental enhancements with fencing, drainage, landscaping and solar lighting.
It will also have installation of advanced medical equipment and digital health record systems; establishment of specialised care units and modern operating theatres.
It will also ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the construction period, as well as temporary facilities within Bauchi metropolis to host critical departments such as maternity, surgery, immunisation and ART services.
Governor Mohammed highlighted the administration’s achievements in the health sector since declaring a state of emergency at the inception of his tenure. These include sustained allocation of over 15 percent of the state’s annual budget to health; recruitment of over 3,000 health workers; support for 3,000 students through the pre-service scheme; restoration of accreditation and academic excellence in health training institutions, notably the Aliko Dangote College of Nursing, which has recorded five consecutive years of 100 percent pass rates; recapitalisation of the Drug Management and Medical Consumables Agency with N500 million over two years.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Dambam, commended the governor’s visionary leadership, noting a significant drop in maternal mortality from over 1,000 to 382 deaths per 100,000 women and increase in immunisation coverage from 31 percent to 51 percent.
Government acknowledged the invaluable support of development partners, including WHO, UNICEF, USAID, UKAID, MSF and the Red Cross, as well as traditional rulers, community leaders and health professionals.
Upon completion, the specialist hospital is expected to become a leading referral centre in the North East, reinforcing the administration’s vision of a healthier and more prosperous Bauchi State.
