The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire, has stated that the Federal University Dutse (FUD) is an important asset in the country. He made this known when he inspected both facilities of the Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kudu and Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital Jigawa.
Dr. Ehanire said that the aim of the visit is to select one of the hospitals to serve as a teaching hospital for the Federal University Dutse.
The Minister stated that the country needs more medical doctors so, ‘the establishment of medical schools is apt and needed’. He added that medical students need to be trained and the outcome of the assessment must be in place to achieve the objective of training more doctors for the country.
The Hon Minister further said that “whatever is decided would be of the best interest of the people of Jigawa, the Federal University Dutse and the students.”
Dr. Ehanire reiterated that the final decision of the inspection will rely entirely on the Federal Government.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi, who received the Honorable Minister and his team from the Federal Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Governor of the state, said that the visit had long been over due and that the people of Jigawa were happy with the visit.
He said that the Jigawa State Government in its commitment to ensure healthcare provision in the state had handed over the Rasheed Shekoni specialist Hospital to the Federal University Dutse to serve as its teaching hospital.
Alhaji Namadi further stated that, the state government was also working to ensure the provision of at least one functional secondary health facility in each of the 27 local government areas of the state.
In another development, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammed , thanked the President who he said knows the importance of healthcare issues.
Alhaji Muhammed informed that Jigawa state has been rated one of the best in healthcare delivery, adding that the visit was well appreciated as it would also deliver healthcare to the local communities. The Emir encouraged FG to continue to promote health, education, agriculture and security in the country.
Alhaji Muhammed however asked the Minister and his team to be fair in their assessment, emphasizing that both hospitals are located within his emirate while also considering the students who will be at the receiving end.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor Professor Fatima Batul Mukhtar, of the Federal University Dutse, gave a brief history of the University and its journey so far. The MD of the Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kudu, Professor S. H. Idris and the CMD of Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Dr. Idris Kazuare, took the Honorable Minister and his team on an inspection tour of the facilities.
Enefaa Bob- Manuel
DD Head Media and Public Relations
