Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has reopened Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital, the oldest public pediatric facility in the state, which had been closed down during the previous Abdullahi Umar Ganduje administration.
The hospital was brought back to operation after a hiatus of 33 years, marking the first major project commissioned by Governor Yusuf within his initial 100 days in office.
According to a Daily Trust reports, the present administration in June had revoked the sale of the Hospital allegedly sold to an individual at the rate of N6 million by the previous administration.
Denying the sale, the Ganduje administration maintained that the services were transferred to a new, larger pediatric hospital established under a public-private partnership arrangement.
During the commissioning event on Sunday, Governor Yusuf emphasized the significance of the reopened facility. He highlighted its role as one of the limited public pediatric hospitals available in Northern Nigeria.
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The hospital, equipped with 86 beds, serves approximately 5000 patients from the state and surrounding areas.
“Some of the services rendered include general peadiatric consultations, free admission of outpatients services, Immunization services, nutritional services research, training and referral services.
“However, as part of our campaign promises to the good people of Kano State, we recovered and provided state of the art equipment and other needed infrastructure for the smooth operation of the facility with a view to tie the abysmally highly infant morbidity and mortality in the State.
“I believe that the recovery of this will reduce the burden of medical and surgical healthcare challenges for the good people of Kano State especially our dear children who are vulnerable to all sorts of diseases.”
Governor Yusuf further urged healthcare workers across the state to exhibit dedication and professionalism, warning that indiscipline, misconduct, and misappropriation of public resources would not be tolerated.
On his part, the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, while thanking the Governor for redeeming the image of the facility said, “we will not forget about the history of this place since the days of our childhood.
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“It has been rendering essential services to our children especially the less privileged. We are most grateful for reviving it while we are calling on all concerns and the citizens of the state to lend hands to the government to succeed.
“We believe the good heart and intentions of the Governor god gave him the ability to do this. We pray that God continues to protect and guide him to do more.”
Among those present at the event were Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, Health Commissioner Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, members of the State Executive Council, Haruna Adamu representing the World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners.
Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board (HMB), reminded staff to responsibly utilize the provided facilities and adhere to professional ethics and values in their work.