Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has declared a state of emergency on the General Hospital Minna, citing the urgent need for a complete overhaul of the deteriorating facility.
The declaration was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday in Minna by the governor’s Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso.
Wakaso stated that the governor made the declaration during the weekly State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, noting that the hospital, which was built over 50 years ago, had deteriorated significantly.
Hospital overstretched and outdated
Bago added that the facility was no longer fit to serve the medical needs of the state’s growing population.
“The hospital has been overstretched for many years, and its current state poses a serious challenge to effective healthcare delivery in the capital and beyond”, he added.
He therefore immediately constituted a committee of special advisers and relevant stakeholders to carry out a full assessment of the hospital and propose practical solutions.
“So, following their recommendations, plans are now underway to demolish the current structure and begin the reconstruction of new units and wards in phases.”
Temporary relocation of essential services
The governor explained that during the period of reconstruction, essential departments and services would be temporarily relocated to select primary healthcare centres across the state to ensure continuity in care.
Bago, who had once paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital, revealed that the bench he sat on at the eye centre had been there since he was a child.
“We have to be honest with ourselves. The facility, 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 It is overstretched, outdated, and unsafe.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,” the governor said.
Part of broader healthcare reform
He added further that the decision was part of a broader plan to revamp the entire healthcare sector in the state, ensuring that citizens have access to quality and dignified medical services.
“Our administration is committed to building systems that work. Health is a priority, and we are determined to ensure that people feel the impact of government through visible improvements in healthcare delivery,” he added.
The governor reassured the public that all necessary steps would be taken to minimize disruption during the transition period and to maintain access to essential services until the new facilities were completed.
