By Correspondent in Minna.
Barely days after his wife’s private visit exposed the deplorable condition of the Minna General Hospital, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has declared a state of emergency on the facility and announced plans for a total revamp.
Our correspondent recalls that the Governor’s wife, during an unpublicized visit to a patient, witnessed firsthand the crumbling infrastructure and poor service delivery, prompting her to brief the Governor on the dire situation.
Once considered a premier health institution in the state, Minna General Hospital has deteriorated into a shadow of its former self.
Over the years, many medical professionals,particularly doctors,have resigned from government service due to a lack of modern medical equipment, poor remuneration, and alleged religious and tribal discrimination.
While some of the doctors have relocated abroad in search of better opportunities, others have opened private clinics within and outside Niger State.
In response to the alarming revelations from his wife’s visit, Governor Bago, during the weekly State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, declared the facility unfit for human use and announced a comprehensive plan to rebuild it.
“Minna General Hospital has deteriorated significantly and is no longer fit to serve the medical needs of our growing population,” the Governor said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso.
He noted that the hospital, which has been serving the public for nearly 50 years, is now overstretched and outdated, posing serious challenges to effective healthcare delivery in the state capital and its environs.
To address the issue, Governor Bago has set up a committee comprising Special Advisers and key stakeholders to conduct a full assessment of the hospital and recommend immediate, practical solutions.
According to the statement, the state government is already considering the phased demolition of old structures to make way for modern wards and units.
During the reconstruction, essential services will be temporarily relocated to selected Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state to ensure uninterrupted care.
Governor Bago also recalled an unscheduled visit he made to the hospital’s eye centre,where he noted that the bench he sat on had been there since his childhood.
“We have to be honest with ourselves. Minna General Hospital, in its present condition, can no longer serve its purpose. It is overstretched, outdated, and unsafe. What we need now is a modern, functional, and efficient health facility that reflects our vision for a healthier Niger State,” he said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
