Kano invests over N4bn in provision of high tech medical equipment
The administration of Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, says it has invested over N4billion in procurement of high –tech hospital equipment in the past one year, in addition to engaging over 520 new medical personnel.
The high tech equipment which include CT scan machines, as well as other forms of paediatric and diagnostic facilities are being installed in existing and new specialist hospitals in the state, as part of the on-going efforts to boost public health delivery.
Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, Kano State commissioner of health, disclosed that this is the first time in the history of the state that such equipments are being purchased and installed in any hospital in the state.
Speaking during an interaction with Journalists for Health (J4H) in Kano recently, Getso revealed that Kano state has not recorded a new outbreak of wild polio virus in the past 33 months, which according to him was a major achievement by the Ganduje administration.
“Kano State Government is not only providing one CT scan machine, but two others of such are being provided at two of the new hospitals that the state government is about completing. In addition to this, Kano State Government has embarked on human capital development to operate the investment we are making in the health sector. In the last one year, we have employed more than 400 new medical personnel to increase available hands in our healthcare facilities. I am talking about doctors, nurses and medical laboratory scientists. Presently, we are planning to engage another 120 new medical personnel; by God’s grace, in the next two to three weeks, we are going to conclude that process.
“In other areas of health needs, the state government has done a lot in meeting the needs of the citizenry. The government has ensured that all the health care facilities in the state are up to date, with latest medical infrastructures in place. In the last one year alone, Kano state government has spent billions of naira in providing healthcare equipment across the state.
Precisely last year, over N4 billion was spent on upgrading and providing high tech medical facilities, not only making sure that basic healthcare facilities are provided, but high tech facilities. Right now, we have the complete installation of CT scanning machine in Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital in the metropolis; this is going to be commissioned very soon” the commissioner revealed.
Commenting further, he said that the essence of the interaction with members of the J4H was to generate inputs into the campaign exercise to eradicate polio in the state and the country at large, adding that it was on record that Kano state has not recorded new outbreak of wild polio virus in the last 33 months and this is a major achievement. In the next three months, we would be celebrating three years without outbreak of wild polio virus in the state.
“If it was not the new cases of outbreak recorded in Bornu state, Nigeria would have been certified polio free. Globally, looking at the statistics, there is a lot of progress as there were only five cases of wild polio virus recorded and if we compare it with what we had last year (about 33 cases), it obviously means there is a lot of progress. In the year 2017 in Nigeria, we have not recorded one case of wild polio virus. In other areas of health needs, Kano State Government has done a lot in meeting the needs of the citizenry.” Getso further added.
Adeola Ajakaiye, Kano