The Katsina State Government on Friday revealed plans to upgrade the Gen. Amadi Rimi Orthopaedic Hospital to the status of a comprehensive healthcare facility.

The state governor, Dikko Radda, disclosed this in Katsina when the management and founders of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nasir Yahaya-Daura, paid him a courtesy visit.

Mr Radda said that a committee of medical professionals had been engaged to propose necessary facilities for the upgrade alongside the ongoing construction of a dialysis centre in the hospital.

He said there were ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia and other foreign countries for potential investments in healthcare delivery in the state.

The governor said that the aim was to significantly improve healthcare services.

He emphasised further on the initiative’s goal of minimising the need for medical treatment abroad, benefiting people in Katsina and neighbouring states.

Mr Radda said the state government was also in contact with consultants from Tokyo and the United Kingdom for collaboration in managing health institutions in the state.

“The potential for the upgrade of the hospital is to become a teaching hospital for Umaru Musa Yar’adua University and other universities in the state once the 15-year agreement with the Federal Medical Centre expires.”

The governor encouraged the management of Al-Qalam University to request inclusion in TETFUND interventions from the Federal Government, assuring them of his support.

On his part, MrYahaya-Daura expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitment and requested support for fencing the university due to security concerns.

(NAN)