The Federal Government and Gombe State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the takeover of the newly constructed Kumo General Hospital, converting it into a Federal Medical Centre.
The MoU signing ceremony took place on Monday at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare headquarters in Abuja.
Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya signed on behalf of Gombe State, while the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, signed for the Federal Government.
Witnesses to the signing included Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Daju Kachallom.
Speaking at the event, Yahaya described the agreement as a milestone in expanding access to quality healthcare, not only for Gombe but also for the North East region.
“This hospital is not just for the people of Gombe State. Given the central location of Gombe within the subregion, it will serve as a critical referral facility for the entire North East and beyond,” Yahaya said.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the hospital’s conversion, noting that the move aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for strengthening the health sector nationwide.
He also highlighted reforms carried out in Gombe’s health sector, including the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres across all 114 political wards and the construction of three new general hospitals across the senatorial districts.
In his remarks, Salako commended Yahaya for his strides in health sector reforms, particularly at the primary care level.
“In the health sector, you have been outstanding and consistently setting the pace. We appreciate your commitment and partnership. Your administration reflects the very spirit of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Salako said.
The minister said the newly acquired Kumo facility would become the 16th federal hospital under the current administration and assured that resources, personnel and equipment would be mobilised to make it functional without delay.
Salako also responded positively to Yahaya’s request for Federal Government intervention at the Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre in Kaltungo, pledging partnership on the facility.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health commended the collaboration between the state and federal government, stressing that such partnerships were key to bridging healthcare gaps across the country.
