The Kogi Government on Thursday said it had upgraded the Zonal Hospital, Idah, to a specialist facility to serve as a renal dialysis centre.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, said in Lokoja that the upgraded hospital would be one of the planned renal dialysis centres in the state.
Audu said that the civil work at the zonal hospital had been completed and the required medical equipment deployed.
“With great sense of fulfilment, we are happy to inform the general public that civil work at the Zonal Hospital, Idah, has been completed and we have commenced deployment of medical equipment.
“The hospital will now serve as one of the planned renal dialysis centres across the state.
“This implies that under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Kogites will now be able to access services at five different renal dialysis centres across the state,” he said.
The commissioner noted that in 2016 when Bello took over the mantle of leadership, Kogi had no state-owned dialysis centre.
He expressed his happiness over the completion of the total overhauling of the facility at the hospital, which he said, was a deviation from the norm.
“We will like to use this opportunity to appreciate His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his unwavering determination to change the narrative in the provision of quality health care services in Kogi State.
“Choosing the ancient city of Idah as one of the designated nephrology centres is both delightful and strategic.
“We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the aspirations of His Excellency for Kogi State in the health sector becomes a palpable reality for all to see,” Audu said.
The state government is currently building two Infectious Disease Hospitals in Ajaokuta and Kogi Local Government Area in addition to the Ultra Modern Referral Centre in Okene.
The government is also revamping the existing health facilities, including the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja; Teaching Hospital ,Anyigba in Dekina LGA;and the General Hospital, Isanlu; in Yagba East LGA.