Gombe Gov’t to renovate Deba, Billiri General Hospitals
By Laraba Usman
The Gombe State Government said it would renovate, upgrade, and equip Deba and Billiri General Hospitals, as well as all health facilities in the state, to boost healthcare service delivery and improve the wellbeing of the people of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Hospital Services Management Board, Dr Mohammad Abdulkadir, disclosed this in an interview with Jewel Post Correspondent on Wednesday in Gombe.
Dr Abdulkadir said Deba and Billiri were next in line for renovation, following the successful renovation and upgrading of five general hospitals across the state, as part of its annual healthcare infrastructure improvement programme.
According to him, the renovation was in line with the state government’s push for quality healthcare as well as a strategy to improve access to healthcare especially amongst those who live in rural areas.
He said that the ongoing renovation was part of an initiative to transform healthcare delivery through improved infrastructure, modern medical equipment, and better working conditions for health personnel.
Dr Abdulkadir added that among the major projects that has been renovated was the former General Hospital Kumo, which was later upgraded and taken over by the Federal Government as the Federal Medical Centre, Kumo.
“Also, the General Hospital in Kaltungo benefited from extensive upgrades, including a new Accident and Emergency Unit, administrative block, and improved internal road networks as well as General Hospital Bajoga, Dukku and Gombe,” he said.
Abdulkadir stated that hospitals renovated under the programme have been fully equipped with laboratory and radiology equipment, ward furniture, and other essential facilities, leading to improved patient care and service delivery.
He explained that the policy of renovating at least one general hospital in a local government area every financial year has enabled the government to gradually modernise healthcare facilities across the state.
According to him, the programme has recorded visible results in communities where the projects have been implemented, improving access to quality healthcare services for residents.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted the role of other health-sector reforms introduced by the administration, including the strengthening of agencies responsible for health insurance, medical supplies, and the distribution of drugs and consumables.
He noted that these interventions have complemented infrastructure development and contributed to improved hospital performance.
According to him, a conducive hospital environment not only enhances patient confidence but also motivates healthcare workers to deliver better services.
He added that the transformation witnessed in many of the state’s hospitals has significantly improved the overall healthcare experience for both patients and staff.
Despite the gains, Dr Abdulkadir identified the shortage of healthcare workers, particularly doctors, as one of the biggest challenges confronting the sector.
He said the migration of skilled professionals in search of better opportunities continues to affect healthcare systems globally, making recruitment and retention increasingly difficult.
He further assured that the state government remains committed to addressing the challenge through ongoing consultations and policy measures aimed at strengthening the healthcare workforce.
Dr Abdulkadir said most general hospitals in the state currently provide blood storage and transfusion services to support emergency cases, maternal healthcare, and other critical medical interventions.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining investments in healthcare infrastructure, equipment, and human resources to ensure that residents continue to receive quality and accessible healthcare services across Gombe State.
Our Correspondent visited some of the general hospitals in the state, at the General Hospital in Billiri, which is currently on the list of facilities scheduled for renovation, patients appealed to the state government to fast-track the project to enable them access better healthcare services.
Mrs. Hannatu Mela, a patient, said that some of the medical services they require were unavailable at the hospital, forcing them to travel to Kaltungo or Kumo for treatment.
She, however, commended the Gombe State Government for establishing the Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency(GoHealth )programme, which has made access to drugs easier for residents.
Meanwhile, at the General Hospital in Kaltungo, one of the recently renovated health facilities, patients were seen patiently waiting for doctors to attend to them.
Mr. Ayuba Musa commended the state government for renovating and equipping the hospital. He said that as patients, they only need to arrive early for treatment, as the facility receives a large number of visitors daily.
According to him, some of the patients seeking treatment at the hospital are not even from Gombe State, a development he attributed to the improved healthcare services available at the facility.
