Nigerian govt plans teaching hospital in Bichi

The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish a teaching hospital in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare and strengthen tertiary medical services in northern Nigeria.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations and member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, disclosed this on Saturday during the commissioning of 120 temporary health workers recruited by the Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation for deployment to primary healthcare centres across Bichi Local Government Area.

The event, held in Bichi, was attended by the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the health sector.

Mr Abubakar said the proposed teaching hospital was being pursued in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the management of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, adding that the project is intended to improve healthcare delivery, medical education and specialist services in Kano and neighbouring states.

“I recently attended meetings on education and healthcare development. As you know, we have Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, and I want to assure you that we are working closely with the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital to facilitate the establishment of a new teaching hospital in Bichi,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, the project has received the backing of President Bola Tinubu, while efforts are underway to secure the President’s final approval for its inclusion in the current federal budget.

“We must appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the development of the healthcare sector. We are currently working towards securing the President’s final approval for the project under this year’s budget,” he said.

Mr Abubakar also announced that Bichi General Hospital is being upgraded to a specialist hospital to provide advanced medical services and reduce pressure on referral hospitals in Kano metropolis.

He disclosed that the hospital’s radiology department has already been equipped with a digital X-ray machine, while 40 oxygen concentrators and four dialysis machines have also been installed. Another four dialysis machines are expected, alongside a 64-slice CT scan machine that will complete the upgrade.

“We have completed the installation of equipment for the radiology department at Bichi General Hospital. Once the remaining equipment arrives, we will invite the Commissioner for Health and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to officially commission the upgraded facilities,” he said.

He added that plans were also underway to modernise the hospital’s surgical and operating theatres to meet the standards of leading specialist hospitals across Kano State.

According to him, upgrading Bichi General Hospital will help decongest major referral centres, including Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, Nasarawa, which continue to experience increasing patient loads.

“As Kano’s population continues to grow, expanding and equipping secondary healthcare facilities such as Bichi General Hospital has become essential to ensuring timely access to quality healthcare for our people,” he said.

The lawmaker further appealed to the Kano State Government to upgrade the Danzabuwa and Saye Primary Healthcare Centres to general hospitals, pledging federal support through the provision of infrastructure and medical equipment.

Speaking on the recruitment of the 120 health workers, Abubakar said the initiative was aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services and addressing manpower shortages in rural communities.

He commended the screening committee, chaired by Professor Yusuf Muhammad, for conducting what he described as a transparent recruitment exercise and urged the newly commissioned workers to serve with professionalism, dedication and integrity.

The lawmaker also appealed to the Kano State Government to absorb the workers into its permanent and pensionable workforce.

He commended Governor Abba Yusuf for prioritising investments in the health and education sectors, describing the interventions as critical to improving healthcare access and the overall well-being of the people of Kano State.