Sule Flags Off Conversion of Akwanga General Hospital to Specialist Hospital
N6bn Phase One Project to Feature Trauma Centre, Five-Storey Complex, Advanced Diagnostic Facilities
The Governor of Abdullahi Sule has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the phase one construction, expansion, and conversion of the General Hospital Akwanga into a Specialist Hospital, a major healthcare project aimed at strengthening medical services in Nasarawa State.
Speaking during the ceremony in Akwanga, the governor explained that the upgrade would transform the facility into a modern specialist hospital equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment services.
According to him, the project will include the construction of a Trauma Centre, a five-storey medical complex, improved laboratories, imaging services, and expanded in-patient and out-patient departments.
Governor Sule said the development would significantly improve access to specialized healthcare services and reduce the need for residents to travel long distances in search of advanced medical treatment.
“When completed, this upgrade will improve availability of advanced diagnostic, treatment and referral services, reduce the burden on tertiary facilities, and minimize the need for patients to travel long distances for specialized care,” the governor stated.
He further noted that the new facility would create a patient-centered healthcare environment designed to support quality medical care, adding that infrastructure alone cannot guarantee quality healthcare.
The governor emphasized that his administration remains committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce, improving medical equipment, enhancing the drug supply chain, and ensuring effective hospital management across the state.
Governor Sule explained that the initiative aligns with his administration’s broader policy of strengthening healthcare delivery across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels to ensure quality services are accessible and affordable to the people.
He disclosed that the state government has set aside six billion naira (₦6 billion) for the execution of the first phase of the project.
The governor also commended the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill converting the hospital into the Nasarawa State Specialist Hospital, Akwanga, as well as for supporting other executive bills presented by his administration.
Commissioner of Health Commends Governor
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Gaza Gwamna, praised the governor for his commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
He noted that Governor Sule would go down in history as the first civilian governor to establish a tertiary health institution in the state, explaining that the existing Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital was originally built by a military administrator.
Gwamna further disclosed that the administration has improved the healthcare workforce significantly, with over 6,000 health personnel currently serving across various facilities in the state, including over 2,000 workers employed under the present administration.
He added that approval had also been granted for the employment of 40 nurses and over 25 doctors to pioneer service delivery at the new specialist hospital.
Project to Become Unique in North Central
Providing an overview of the project, Architect Salihu Hussaini Egyegbola explained that the development would be implemented in phases and structured into three major segments.
He said the first phase would focus on upgrading existing facilities, while new specialist infrastructure required for a tertiary health institution would also be constructed.
According to him, the hospital will feature a modern trauma and research centre, which will serve as a training facility for medical fellows and healthcare professionals.
Egyegbola expressed confidence that the facility would become one of the most modern specialist hospitals in the North Central region when completed.
Stakeholders Applaud Project
In his goodwill message, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada described the project as evidence of Governor Sule’s commitment to fairness and balanced development across the state.
He noted that while Lafia hosts a teaching hospital and Keffi hosts the Federal Medical Centre, it was appropriate for Akwanga to also have a tertiary healthcare institution.
Similarly, the Chun Mada commended the governor for advancing the healthcare project originally initiated by former governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who constructed the ultra-modern General Hospital in Akwanga.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Dr. Esala E. Abene, described the project as a major milestone for the state’s health sector.
He expressed optimism that the hospital would become a legacy project for the administration, noting that the facility will serve over 53 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state.
The CMD appealed to residents to support the project while assuring that medical services would continue during construction as hospital operations temporarily move to another section of the compound.
Local leaders including Hon. Larry Ven-Bawa and the Executive Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, also praised Governor Sule for his continued efforts to transform the state through strategic infrastructural and healthcare investments.
