Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Sunday expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, for approving the state’s request for the takeover and conversion of the newly reconstructed state government-owned General Hospital Kumo into a Federal Medical Centre.
Governor Yahaya, in a press statement signed by Director-General Press Affairs Ismaila Misilli, while reacting to the development, emphasised that the takeover of the new state-of- the-art medical facility by the Federal Government would significantly improve healthcare delivery in the state and the Northeast subregion.
The governor noted that the upgraded facility would serve as a teaching hospital for both the Federal University of Kashere and Lincoln University, Kumo, with the expectation that those to be trained in these institutions as medical practitioners would improve the state’s workforce in the health sector upon completion of their education.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare service, as evidenced by the remodelling of the specialist hospital in Gombe, two general hospitals in Bajoga and Kaltungo, and construction of a brand-new general hospital in Kumo as well as revitalization of the 114 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state among other strides in the health sector.
“I am excited about the approval by our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the takeover and conversion of the General Hospital Kumo to a Federal Medical Centre. This development will no doubt enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services to our people in Gombe state and our neighbouring states,” the governor stated.
“Upon completing the reconstruction and equipping of the Kumo Hospital, which is a 200-bed-capacity ultramodern facility designed to provide comprehensive healthcare service, we requested for its takeover and conversion by the Federal Government into a Federal Medical Centre, especially since the former FMC in Gombe had been upgraded to a Federal Teaching Hospital. Today Mr President has graciously approved our request. On behalf of the government and people of Gombe State, we express our sincere appreciation to the President for this gesture.
“I equally appreciate the support of my dear brother, the Hon. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohammed Ali Pate,” Yahaya further remarked.
On his part, Dairus Samson, a resident of the state said the takeover by the Federal Government is a welcome development. He noted that the tertiary facility would provide succour to millions of those in Akko, and most parts of Gombe State.
“The state government already built a state-of-the-art facility equipped, so the takeover will give respite to residents in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area, Billiri, Kaltungo, Balanga, Shongom, who ordinarily travel kilometers in search of tertiary medical services,” he said.
Also speaking, Kefas Joshua, stated the conversion was hinged on three things adding “Remodelling the hospital by the State Government. State government request. The tussle between the legislators on FMC Billiri or Deba.To douse the tension in the political spheres and balance the equation of access for both Billiri and Deba.”
Recall that in 2021, the Senate on passed a bill to upgrade the General Hospital, Deba in Gombe State to a Federal Medical Centre.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central), seeks to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the medical centre.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Health ( Secondary & Tertiary).
Efforts made via call and text to Senator Goje, proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.
