In a bid to improve healthcare services in Kebbi State, Senator Garba Musa Maidoki(Kebbi South has presented a bill to establish a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Zuru, Kebbi State.
The Bill which public hearing was held today at the Senate under the Senate Committee on Health aims to provide secondary healthcare facilities to the people of Zuru Emirate in particular, Kebbi State and the surrounding areas.
Senator Maidoki in a media chat with members of the National Assembly New Media Forum revealed that the Federal Medical Center, Zulu when established will not only carter for the tertiary healthcare service needs of Kebbi State but will also served as the closest medical healthcare services provider to Niger State and Zamfara state respectively because of it proximity to some parts of the states which he said is closer to Zulu than the state’s capital of the states where they can access quality healthcare services.
He assured federal government of huge availability of human resources and massive land allocation should the Bill is passed and assented to. Emphasizing the commitment of stakeholders and professional especially medical and healthcare practitioner both at home and in the diaspora to the Bill.
Earlier, Senator Maidoki in his memorandum presented to the Senate Committee on Health said the establishment of FMCs across the country was initiated by Decree No. 10 of 1985, with the aim of providing tertiary healthcare services. In Kebbi State, the FMC Birnin Kebbi was established on June 6, 2000, and has since been upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
The senator emphasized the need for an FMC in Zuru, citing the large population of the area and the challenges faced in accessing healthcare services in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. The distance between Zuru Emirate and Birnin Kebbi is approximately 240 km, making it difficult for patients, especially children and pregnant women, to access secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
The proposed FMC will provide services to parts of Niger, Zamfara, and Sokoto States within a 50km radius. Senator Maidoki urged his colleagues and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the bill, emphasizing that healthcare is a fundamental privilege expected from any government.
As a senator, Maidoki has been a strong advocate for the people of Kebbi South Senatorial District. His efforts to providing quality healthcare services to his constituents are in line with his campaign promises, which include ensuring that the people of Kebbi South have access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
