Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has lamented that 32 general hospitals in the state, have not been renovated in the last 20 years.
Sani said the situation has unfortunately made citizens travel to neighbouring states for medical care.
The governor stated this while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from the 23 local government areas of the state who paid him Sallah homage at the Government House, Kaduna .
The governor also said that over 1,500 schools in the eight local government areas of the state worst hit by security challenges, do not have fences.
He however said his administration has resolved to remodel, reconstruct and reequip six of the general hospitals, two in each of the three senatorial zones of the state.
The governor disclosed that, as part of efforts to complement the government’s commitment to implementing the Safe School Initiative, two prominent Kaduna-based business moguls, Alhaji Adamu Atta of Fifth Chucker and Alhaji Bukar Shettima of Barbados, have promised to build fences for 100 schools.
Sani said, “In the last one month, I have received reports from our deputy governor, who is one of the most prominent, established public health specialists in Nigeria, that our 32 general hospitals in Kaduna as we speak, most of them are not functional.
“Because of that, most of the patients from Kaduna have to travel to some neighbouring states for medical attention.
“This is unacceptable. That is why we have decided to remodel, reconstruct at least six of the 32 general hospitals.
“This project will be starting by the grace of God on Monday, that is in the next few days.
According to him the general hospitals are located in Rigasa, Maigana, Gwantu, Kafanchan, Giwa and Ikara.
“The reason we believe we have to invest in the healthcare, particularly at the secondary healthcare level is simply because most of these hospitals I mentioned have not been given attention in the last 20 years, and that is the reason they are in their current situation,” the governor said.
He said his administration is also focusing on education which he said is the greatest enabler to the children of the poor.
The governor noted that as a result of the unfortunate incident that happened in Kuriga, where about 137 children were kidnapped, the government embarked on the assessment of all schools, particularly junior secondary schools and primary schools.
He said there are over 1,500 schools that need to be fenced in line with Safe School Initiative policy.
“For this reason, I approached some well meaning citizens of the state, particularly in the private sector and as we speak, two of our prominent citizens here in Kaduna, that is Kashim Bukar, the owner of Barbados, as well as Adamu Atta, the owner of Fifth Chucker, have decided to fence 100 schools. We thank them for their effort and support,” Sani said.
John Shiklam
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