Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has declared a state of emergency on the Minna General Hospital, describing the long-standing health institution as outdated, overstretched, and unsafe for patient care. This decision follows an impromptu inspection visit to the facility, which the governor said revealed deeply rooted infrastructural decay unfit for the state’s growing medical needs.
Speaking during a State Executive Council meeting held on Monday in Minna, the state capital, Governor Bago did not mince words, noting that the hospital, which was constructed over five decades ago, has significantly deteriorated and can no longer meet the demands of modern healthcare delivery. According to him, what currently stands as the Minna General Hospital is a shadow of what a functional, 21st-century medical institution should be.
In a follow-up statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, the governor recounted his recent unscheduled visit to the hospital, particularly to the eye centre, where he said he found himself seated on the same wooden bench he had used as a child. This personal reflection underscored what he described as the unacceptable state of infrastructure, signaling a broader failure to upgrade vital health facilities over the decades.
“We have to be honest with ourselves. The General Hospital in Minna, in its current condition, can no longer serve its purpose. It is overstretched, outdated, and unsafe,” Bago said. “What we need now is a modern, functional, and efficient health facility that reflects our vision for a healthier Niger State.”
Governor Bago further noted that the population of Minna and the wider state has grown considerably, putting immense pressure on the existing healthcare infrastructure. The current state of the hospital, he said, has become a major impediment to the effective delivery of medical services not only in the capital city but also across the state.
In response to the dire situation, the governor has set up a special committee comprising his advisers and key stakeholders in the health sector. The mandate of the committee is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the facility and recommend immediate and long-term solutions that would bring the hospital in line with global healthcare standards.
As part of the state’s emergency response plan, the government has announced that the hospital will be demolished in phases to pave the way for a new, state-of-the-art medical complex. The reconstruction project will include new wards and specialized units to meet the diverse health needs of residents.
To ensure continuity of care during the reconstruction process, the governor disclosed that essential departments and critical services currently offered at the Minna General Hospital will be temporarily relocated to designated primary healthcare centres across the state. These centres will be upgraded to support patient referrals and provide uninterrupted services.
The move, according to Bago, is part of a broader agenda to reposition Niger State’s healthcare system and ensure that residents have access to quality and affordable medical care in an environment that promotes healing and dignity.
