FG TAKES SPECIALIST CARE TO SOUTHERN KADUNA AS KAFANCHAN HOSPITAL BECOMES FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE

FG TAKES SPECIALIST CARE TO SOUTHERN KADUNA AS KAFANCHAN HOSPITAL BECOMES FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE
Abuja, Nigeria | 15 October 2026

The Federal Government is expanding access to tertiary healthcare in Southern Kaduna with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Kaduna State Government
@GovKaduna
,for the handover of Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital, Kafanchan, for conversion into Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Kafanchan.

Speaking at the signing ceremony today in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare,
@SalakoIziaq
, said tertiary healthcare must not remain a privilege of capital cities and metropolitan centres. Guided by the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), he said, the Federal Government is working towards a health system that brings functional, quality healthcare facilities within the reach of Nigerians, regardless of where they live. He noted that in the last 42 months, the Federal Government had established 16 additional federal tertiary health institutions across the six geopolitical zones.

Dr Salako said the Ministry would work with the Kaduna State Government to upgrade the hospital’s physical infrastructure and diagnostic capacity, deploy specialist personnel and advanced equipment, and establish a pathway for the absorption of interested existing health workers into the Federal Government’s workforce. He added that the facility would be developed into a regional hub for medical training, research and specialised clinical services. He also paid tribute to the late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, former Governor of Kaduna State, describing the development of the hospital into a centre of healing as a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator
@ubasanius
,commended the Federal Government, through the Ministry, for approving a second federal tertiary health institution in the state, noting that it would expand access to specialised care for Kaduna’s growing population of 12 million. He described the agreement as a demonstration of shared responsibility between the two tiers of government in addressing barriers to quality healthcare. The Governor reaffirmed the state’s commitment to a seamless handover and disclosed that the state government would continue paying the hospital’s staff salaries until they are successfully absorbed into the Federal Government’s payroll.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, said the facility would extend access to specialist services, medical training and research to residents of Jema’a Local Government Area, neighbouring local government areas and communities in adjoining states. She noted that the initiative advances Priority Six of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Eight Presidential Priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda and aligns with the NHSRII.
She emphasised that bringing specialist care closer to communities would reduce the cost and physical strain of travelling long distances for treatment.

The Permanent Secretary said the measure of the agreement would ultimately be the quality of care delivered, reflecting the Ministry’s mandate to save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Kaduna State Government to implement the agreed milestones, strengthen the facility’s capacity and expand access to quality specialist healthcare for the people of Southern Kaduna and beyond.