By Baba Alfa, Minna
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has declared a state of emergency on the General Hospital Minna, ordering its complete demolition and replacement with a modern medical facility, following years of decay and overstretched infrastructure.
The governor made the decision known during the weekly State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House Council Chambers in Minna. In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, the governor said the hospital, built over 50 years ago, has collapsed under the weight of increasing population and decades of neglect.
Governor Bago lamented the poor state of the facility, describing it as “unfit to meet the medical needs of today’s Niger State.”
He disclosed that during a visit to the hospital, he sat on a bench at the Eye Centre that had been in use since his childhood.
“We have to be honest with ourselves. The hospital can no longer serve its purpose. It is overstretched, outdated, and unsafe,” the governor was quoted as saying.
According to the governor, a committee of special advisers and key stakeholders has been constituted to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the hospital and submit practical recommendations for the reconstruction of a world-class health facility in its place.
He assured that during the reconstruction phase, essential departments and emergency services will be temporarily relocated to strategic primary healthcare centres across the state to ensure that residents do not suffer disruption in access to medical care.
“What we need now is a modern, functional, and efficient health facility that reflects our vision for a healthier Niger State,” Bago said.
He emphasised that the planned demolition and rebuilding of the Minna General Hospital was part of a broader health sector reform agenda aimed at delivering dignified and quality healthcare to every citizen of Niger State.
“Our administration is committed to building systems that work. Health is a priority, and we are determined to ensure that people feel the impact of governance through visible improvements in healthcare delivery,” he added.
