By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to convert Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital in Kafanchan into a Federal Medical Centre, in a move aimed at expanding access to specialised healthcare in Southern Kaduna.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Kaduna State Liaison Office in Abuja.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the initiative would bring specialist medical services closer to underserved communities, particularly residents of Jema’a Local Government Area and the wider Southern Kaduna region.
In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Salako described the agreement as an important step towards advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and promoting inclusive healthcare delivery.
He said the Federal Government would work with the Kaduna State Government to upgrade the hospital’s infrastructure and diagnostic facilities, provide specialised medical personnel and modern equipment, and facilitate the transition of existing healthcare workers who wish to remain at the facility.
According to the minister, the partnership also seeks to position Kafanchan as a regional centre for medical training, research and specialised clinical services.
Salako said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that access to tertiary healthcare was not restricted to state capitals and major cities.
He added that, under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the Tinubu administration had established 16 additional federal tertiary health institutions within its first 42 months in office to improve access to specialised medical services nationwide.
The minister also commended the Kaduna State Government for its investments in healthcare, including upgrading 255 primary healthcare centres to Level 2 status, establishing 23 primary healthcare centres of excellence, completing a 300 bed specialist hospital and revitalising 19 general hospitals.
He further highlighted the state’s expansion of health insurance coverage and the establishment of neonatal care corners in rural and underserved communities.
Salako assured stakeholders that the ministry would implement the operational milestones outlined in the agreement. He also said the conversion would honour the legacy of the late former Kaduna State Governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, after whom the hospital was named.
In his remarks, Governor Uba Sani said the decision was driven by the need to improve access to quality healthcare and ensure that public institutions served communities more effectively.
He noted that patients from Southern Kaduna often faced additional financial and emotional burdens when travelling long distances for medical treatment, including transportation and accommodation costs, lost income and the strain of caring for relatives far from home.
Sani added that such journeys could delay critical treatment and worsen patients’ conditions, particularly during medical emergencies.
He expressed confidence that the proposed Federal Medical Centre would expand access to specialised services, strengthen diagnostic and treatment capacity, and improve healthcare delivery across the region.
The governor described the Federal Government’s approval of the state’s request as evidence of a shared commitment to equitable healthcare and stronger public health institutions.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary said the initiative aligned with Priority Six of Tinubu’s Eight Presidential Priorities and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. She assured stakeholders that the necessary assessments, infrastructure improvements and administrative processes would be undertaken to facilitate the commencement of services.
Speaking on behalf of Southern Kaduna elders, former Chief of Army Staff, General Martins Luther Agwai, welcomed the development and urged the minister to convey their appreciation to Tinubu for approving the initiative.
Agwai also called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to advance public health and socio-economic development in the region.
Similarly, the senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Katung Mashal, described the planned conversion as an important step towards improving healthcare services.
Katung commended the President, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Assembly for their roles in advancing the initiative. He also urged the Federal Government to ensure adequate infrastructure, modern medical equipment and the retention of the hospital’s existing workforce.
