Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara says his government is transforming the Specialist Hospital, Gusau, into a University Teaching Hospital.

This is contained in a statement by Suleiman Idris, the governor’s media aide, on Friday.

Mr Lawal stated this at the inauguration of the facility upgrade of the lone state-owned tertiary healthcare institution, code-named ‘Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital’ in Gusau.

The governor said upgrading the hospital will transform the facility into the status of a teaching hospital at Zamfara University.

Mr Lawal reassured that the process would improve the referral system for specialised care, increase the healthcare workforce, and enhance service quality, resulting in better health outcomes.

“This project is a follow-up to our declaration of a state of emergency in the state’s health sector after that of education,” Mr Lawal said.

He said the project was necessitated by the enormous challenges his administration inherited in the sector.

”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,” the governor said.

Mr Lawal said the aim was to safeguard the health and well-being of both the residents and healthcare service providers.

Mr Lawal said the components of the remodelling project would include new constructions, expansion, and upgrading of the existing structures.

Others include completion of doctors’ quarters, modern laboratory imaging facilities, and a complete hospital information management system, among others.

(NAN)