By Kazeem Waris
The Sokoto State Government has approved ₦1.59 billion for a major healthcare infrastructure intervention targeting dilapidated hospitals, poorly equipped primary healthcare centres and persistent electricity challenges affecting medical services across the state.
The investment covers the renovation of seven Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), rehabilitation of Isa General Hospital, conversion of Sanyinna PHC into a General Hospital and installation of solar power systems in 30 PHCs across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Wurno, disclosed this while briefing journalists, putting the total cost of the approved projects at ₦1,590,628,219.61.
He said the intervention was part of the state government’s efforts to address longstanding infrastructure deficiencies, strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to essential medical services, particularly in rural communities.
Under the PHC renovation programme, Gidan Dahala PHC in Sokoto South Local Government Area has been allocated ₦71.67 million, while Dundaye PHC in Wamakko Local Government Area will receive ₦86.47 million.
Mabera Mujaya PHC, also in Sokoto South, has been earmarked ₦66.59 million, while Badau PHC in Bodinga Local Government Area will receive ₦61.95 million.
Other beneficiaries include Rimawa and Shinaka PHCs in Goronyo Local Government Area, approved for ₦111.15 million and ₦86.45 million, respectively, as well as Sheikh Abubakar Gummi Memorial College PHC, allocated ₦55.99 million.
In a major intervention at the secondary healthcare level, the government approved ₦569.98 million for the rehabilitation of Isa General Hospital to strengthen its capacity to provide medical services to residents of the area and neighbouring communities.
The state also approved ₦240.97 million for the conversion of Sanyinna PHC into a General Hospital, a development expected to expand access to higher-level medical services and reduce pressure on existing secondary healthcare facilities.
Wurno said the Sanyinna hospital project was initiated in 2021 but abandoned by the previous administration, adding that the present government had approved the necessary funding to move the project forward.
Another ₦239.4 million has been approved for the installation of solar power systems in 30 PHCs across the three senatorial districts.
The initiative is expected to address electricity-related disruptions affecting essential healthcare services, including maternity care, emergency treatment, laboratory operations and vaccine preservation.
Reliable electricity is particularly important to rural health facilities, where unstable power supply can compromise the delivery of round-the-clock medical services and the storage of temperature-sensitive vaccines.
Providing an update on the administration’s wider healthcare infrastructure programme, the commissioner disclosed that 185 of the state’s 244 PHCs had so far been renovated.
The latest approvals represent another phase of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate existing healthcare facilities, expand secondary healthcare capacity and improve electricity supply to frontline medical centres.
The success of the intervention will, however, depend on timely project execution, effective monitoring and the ability of the upgraded facilities to translate infrastructure improvements into accessible and quality healthcare for residents.
