By Haruna Abdulrashid
The Federal Government and the Gombe State Government have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the takeover of the newly constructed General Hospital, Kumo, converting it into a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) to ensure its immediate commencement of operations.
This development was contained in a press release signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe, Isma’il Uba Misilli.
The hospital was constructed and fully equipped with cutting-edge medical facilities by the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The MoU signing ceremony took place at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare headquarters in Abuja, with Governor Inuwa Yahaya signing on behalf of Gombe State, while the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, signed for the Federal Government.
Also witnessing the agreement were the Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Daju Kachallom.
Speaking at the event, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the development as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to expand access to quality healthcare, not only for Gombe citizens but for the entire North-East region.
“This hospital is not just for the people of Gombe State. Given the central location of Gombe within the subregion, it will serve as a critical referral facility for the entire North-East and beyond,” the Governor stated.
Governor Yahaya expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the hospital’s conversion and for his commitment to strengthening the health sector nationwide under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He assured that Gombe State would fully support the smooth and effective implementation of the MoU.
The governor also gave an overview of the dilapidated health system his administration inherited and outlined the strides made so far to change the narrative. Among these are the revolutionary improvements in Primary Health Care (PHC), including the provision of at least two fully functional PHCs in each of the 114 political wards, a feat achieved through strategic investment and partnerships.
He further highlighted the reconstruction and establishment of three state-of-the-art General Hospitals, one in each senatorial district, as part of his administration’s comprehensive health reform agenda aimed at expanding access to essential and specialist care.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his vision and execution in transforming the healthcare system in Gombe, especially at the primary care level.
“In the health sector, you have been outstanding and consistently setting the pace. We appreciate your commitment and partnership. Your administration reflects the very spirit of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in delivering high-impact projects that directly improve the lives of citizens,” the Minister said.
He noted that the newly acquired Kumo facility would become the 16th federal hospital established under the current administration and assured that the Federal Government would immediately begin mobilising resources, personnel, equipment, and operational support to ensure the hospital begins functioning without delay.
The Minister also responded positively to Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s request for Federal Government intervention in the Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre in Kaltungo, assuring the Governor of the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the state on that critical facility.
Earlier in the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health lauded the collaborative spirit between Gombe State and the Federal Government and emphasised the significance of such partnerships in bridging healthcare access gaps across the country.
