Gov. Umaru Bago unveils ambitious plan to transform Shiroro Hotel into teaching hospital
Gov. Umaru Bago unveils ambitious plan to transform Shiroro Hotel into teaching hospital
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced the finalization of plans to convert Shiroro Hotel into a teaching hospital, enhancing tertiary healthcare services in the region.
This development was disclosed in a press release signed by Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State.
Governor Umaru Bago made this announcement while inaugurating the upgrade of a central medical store to pharmagrade standards.
Additionally, the distribution of 25 motorcycles and essential medicines to the Primary Health Care Departments in all 25 local government areas was launched.
The upgrade and provision of motorcycles and essential medicines stem from a collaborative effort between the Niger State government, the Federal Government, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
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Governor Umaru Bago stated that the contract agreement for the Teaching Hospital would be signed next week, with contractors set to commence work immediately.
He underscored the importance of healthcare, revealing that his administration had separated the Ministry of Primary Health Care and the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health Care for better efficiency.
Governor Bago also pledged to introduce a policy to reward high-performing healthcare workers with incentives such as houses, vehicles, and scholarships, as a means of boosting morale and dedication.
He urged healthcare workers to continue making sacrifices and remain dedicated to their duties.
The Governor expressed his appreciation to all development partners for their continuous support and directed the Ministry of Finance to establish a sinking fund to ensure prompt payments for health-related counterpart funds.
Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, the Commissioner for Primary Health Care, explained that the motorcycles would be used for medical outreach programs aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality across the state.
He commended the Governor for allocating N170 million out of N400 million for the revitalization of Primary Health Care centers across the three geopolitical zones of the state, as well as N250 million for focal Primary Health Centers in all wards.
Dr. Bello Tukur, the Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health Care, asserted that the Central Medical Store would become the premier facility in North Central Nigeria, serving as a hub for the distribution of hospital consumables to healthcare facilities across the state.
Dr. Gerida Birukila, Chief of Field Office UNICEF Kaduna, spoke on behalf of other development partners, expressing their commitment to collaborating with the Governor Bago-led administration to ensure a high-quality healthcare system in the state.
The upgrade of the central medical store is expected to be completed within four months.