Governor Dauda Lawal has commissioned the remodelling, upgrading, and equipping the only state-owned tertiary healthcare facility, Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau.
The flag-off ceremony was held on Thursday at the Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau, the state capital.
A statement on Friday by the spokesperson for the Governor of Zamfara, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that upgrading the hospital will transform Yariman Bakura into the teaching hospital of Zamfara State University.
During his remarks at the event, Governor Lawal reassured that the reconstruction would improve the referral system for specialized care, increase the healthcare workforce, and enhance service quality, resulting in better health outcomes.
“We are here today to flag off the remodelling, upgrading, and equipping of Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau. The work will also consist of acquiring medical equipment for the hospital. This project is a follow-up to our declaration of a state of emergency on the State’s health sector after that of education.
“This was necessitated by the enormous challenges we inherited in the sector when we took over the governance of the state. The hospital is in a dire state despite its vital role in providing quality healthcare services to residents and visitors alike.
“Many of its structures are in disrepair, indicating an urgent need for attention. Additionally, the hospital lacks adequate laboratory facilities, hindering the staff’s ability to carry out essential diagnostic procedures effectively.
“Our aim is not only to safeguard the health and well-being of residents of the state and healthcare services providers but also to proactively address, manage, and ultimately control the incidences of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“We intend to have a comprehensive healthcare approach that will encompass a spectrum of essential services, including the provision of essential medicines, preventive measures, repositioning of health policies, implementation of protocols on water sanitation and hygiene standards, treatment of health conditions, immunization programs, comprehensive antenatal services, related nutrition intervention as well as strengthening of healthcare financing contributory model.
“As Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital is the only State-owned tertiary healthcare facility meant to offer specialized medical care involving complex procedures and treatments, alongside providing specialized residency training for healthcare professionals conducting research in various medical fields, it is imperative that we ensure the remodeling and upgrading of the Hospital to enhance the referral system for specialist care, increase human resource for health and boost service quality utilization, leading to improved health outcomes. We intend to make Yariman Bakura the Zamfara State University teaching hospital as soon as the College of Medical Sciences commences.
“The components of the remodelling project will include new construction, expansion and upgrading of existing structures, renovation and facelift of existing structures, completion of Doctor’s Quarters, and the development of Laboratory Imaging. Facilities and a complete Hospital Information Management system.”
