By Abdullahi Tukur Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Executive Council (SEC), has approved the sum of N4.05 billion for the rehabilitation of seven General Hospitals across the state.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Junaidu Marshall, stated this at a joint press briefing shortly after the council’s meeting presided over by Gov. Nasir Idris. on Wednesday.He told newsmen that the council deliberated and approved the sum of N4.05bn for the rehabilitation of even general hospitals across the state.
The approval was part of the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that hospitals are adequately equipped to serve the people.
The hospitals are Kambaza, Suru, Kamba, Dirin-Daji, Kangiwa, Koko and Yauri with the Argungu General Hospital that has already been rehabilitated and equipped, while other hospitals in Zaga, Zuru, Bunza, Gulma, Bena, Jega, Shanga, and Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi are either completed or undergoing rehabilitation.
According to him, a total of 16 general hospitals have been rehabilitated with the new approval of the seven hospitals under the present led Nasiru Idris administration.Marshall said the governor had assured that before the end of his tenure, all 30 general hospitals in the state would be rehabilitated and adequately equipped.
The attorney-general also announced that the council had approved the release of N570 million to the Kebbi State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KECHEMA) for the registration of 45,000 vulnerable persons under the State Social Register.“This means that each of the 225 wards in the state will register at least 200 vulnerable individuals.
“The effort will go a long way in advancing KECHEMA’s mandate of providing affordable healthcare for the poor,” he said.Marshall further disclosed that under the World Bank IMPACT project, the state had provided its counterpart funding for the rehabilitation of 73 primary healthcare centres across the state.
The Commissioner said, to complement that effort, the council has also approved the rehabilitation of an additional 42 primary healthcare centres across the local government areas in line with national standards.
The council, he said, also approved N407.5 million as a take-off grant for the Kebbi State Drugs, Medical and Consumable Agency, aimed at ensuring the availability of subsidized drugs in the state.
On its part, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, said the council had approved the procurement of 2,000 power tillers at the cost of N3 billion under the Kaura Development Agenda (KADAGE) to boost agricultural activities.
