Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has approved the upgrade of the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Ngelzarma to a General Hospital as part of his administration’s ongoing reforms aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare across the state.
A statement from the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed indicated that the approval became necessary with a view to addressing the healthcare needs of the growing population in Ngelzarma and neighbouring communities.
According to him, the decision aligns with his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system through improved infrastructure, equipment and access to quality medical services.
“This is in line with the reforms declared in the health sector by our administration. Healthcare development occupies a prominent position on our priority list,” Governor Buni said.
He assured that the state government would provide the necessary medical equipment and facilities required to enable the upgraded hospital to operate at the standard of a modern General Hospital, with improved capacity to deliver quality healthcare services.
The governor noted that the upgrade forms part of a broader strategy to decentralise healthcare delivery and reduce the burden on existing hospitals, particularly for residents in rural and semi-urban communities.
Since assuming office, the Buni administration has invested heavily in expanding health infrastructure across the state.
Eight Primary Healthcare Centres located in Bara, Buni Gari, Babbangida, Yunusari, Machina, Jajimaji, Nguru and Gulani have already been upgraded to General Hospitals to improve access to secondary healthcare services.
In addition, four General Hospitals in Potiskum, Gashua, Geidam and Buni Yadi have been upgraded to Specialist Hospitals, significantly enhancing the state’s capacity to provide specialised medical care and reduce referrals outside Yobe.
The government’s sustained investments in the health sector have also earned Yobe national recognition as the state has recently emerged as Nigeria’s best-performing state in Primary Healthcare Delivery, receiving performance awards for its outstanding achievements in strengthening primary healthcare services.
