Kebbi Government Relocates Maternity Unit at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital to a New Structure

“The Kebbi State Government remains committed to strengthening secondary and tertiary healthcare services in order to meet the needs of the people and ensure improved service delivery statewide”, he said

Kebbi State Government has relocated the Fati Lami Maternity Unit to a new and more convenient structure within Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi. The Chief Medical Director and Permanent Secretary of the hospital, Dr. Shehu Koko, who confirmed this to newsmen after inspection of the facilities in Birnin Kebbi, noted that the relocation was to enhance service delivery and provide a more conducive environment for both patients and staff. It could be recalled that the relocation order was at the instance of the State Governor,Dr Nasir Idris,who has consistently placed premium on the revitalisation of the health sector to ensure accessible and quality medical services across the state.

Briefing newsmen after inspection of the old structure, and the new location at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, the Chief Medical Director and Permanent Secretary of the hospital, Dr. Shehu Koko, described the action as necessary due to the increasing population of Birnin Kebbi and rising referrals from other hospitals, which overstretched the facilities at the Fati Lami maternity unit. He explained that the evacuated unit suffered from shortage of beds and limited space, making it difficult for patients to be adequately accommodated and for staff to carry out their duties effectively.

He disclosed that the new facility within Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital now provides double bed capacity, a bigger labour room, and the ability to conduct two surgeries simultaneously, an improvement that will significantly boost maternal healthcare services in the state. According to him, “the relocation is not only timely but also critical to allow the revitalisation project of the old Fati Lami unit to commence as directed by His Excellency, the Governor. With the movement to the new facility, maternity care will be more effective, spacious, and conducive for both staff and patients,” he added.

Koko explained that Governor Idris has already mapped out plans to revitalise six General Hospitals across the four Emirates of Kebbi State, including Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, as part of his administration’s comprehensive reforms in the health sector.

“There is plan for the upgrade of six General Hospitals across the four Emirates in the state in addition to the renovation of all the other General Hospitals in the State to be carried out in phases. Out of the six hospitals for upgrade, that of the General Hospital Argungu has been completed and commissioned by His Excellency the Executive Governor, Dr Nasir Idris. The Kebbi State Government remains committed to strengthening secondary and tertiary healthcare services in order to meet the needs of the people and ensure improved service delivery statewide”, he said.

By Ola Lawal