The Federal Government and Gombe State Government have on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the takeover of General Hospital Kumo for its conversion into Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Kumo.
The agreement, signed in Abuja, was witnessed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe.
Salako described the MoU as part of deliberate efforts by the present administration to expand access to specialized healthcare across the country, reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to equitable health services.
He said FMC Kumo would be the 16th federal tertiary institution established by the Federal Government in the last two years.
“This MoU demonstrates our administration’s priority in ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location, has access to advanced medical services. The Federal Government is mobilising resources to rapidly implement this agreement and strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Gombe State,’’ he said.
The minister added that the partnership would fast-track the appointment of principal officers, regularisation of medical staff, and the establishment of new specialist facilities.
Salako also disclosed that the government was working on a plan to establish a specialised centre for snakebites in Gombe, in addition to providing annual budgetary allocations for antivenom procurement, research and public awareness campaigns.
In his remarks, Yahaya described the development as a timely and strategic intervention that would boost healthcare delivery in the North-East.
“What we are doing today is the icing on the cake. This collaboration will further improve healthcare delivery not only for Gombe residents but also for people from neighbouring states who rely on our health facilities,’’ he said.
He highlighted his administration’s achievements in the health sector, including a contributory health insurance scheme with over 345,000 enrollees, out of which 100,000 are indigent beneficiaries.
The governor assured that the state would fully support the Federal Government to ensure the smooth implementation of the agreement.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, described the signing as a historic moment for Nigeria’s healthcare transformation agenda.
“This is more than a document, it is a symbol of progress, shared responsibility, and our determination to deliver real impact in the lives of Nigerians,’’ she said.
According to her, converting Kumo General Hospital into an FMC aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the government’s focus on decentralisation, sustainability and results-driven investments in healthcare.
The ceremony was attended by the Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru; Director of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh; and other senior officials.
