Group Calls for Establishment of Federal Medical Centre in Southern Kaduna

Group Calls for Establishment of Federal Medical Centre in Southern Kaduna

By: Michael Mike

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently prioritize the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Southern Kaduna, insisting that this crucial initiative will not only save countless lives but also significantly enhance healthcare delivery across the region.

The chairman of the group, Isaac Abrak, in a statement on Tuesday, said Southern Kaduna has every justification for hosting a Federal Medical Centre, noting that the region comprises 12 out of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kaduna State, spanning parts of Zone 2 and the entire Zone 3, occupying 57% of Kaduna State’s landmass and accounts for 52.1% of the population, yet it has only one federal institution: the Federal School of Statistics in Manchok.

He lamented that currently individuals with severe medical conditions in Southern Kaduna face immense challenges traveling for about 300 Kilometres to access better healthcare services at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital or the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Shika, Zaria, insisting that the establishment of an FMC in Southern Kaduna will address this critical gap by providing advanced medical care closer to the people, stating that furthermore, it will bolster the efficiency of existing public hospitals in the region, attract health professionals, and improve overall healthcare delivery.

He said: “We also express our appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for consenting to the establishment of the Federal University in Southern Kaduna, specifically the Federal Univesrity of Applied Sciences Kachia via a bill sponsored by Senator Marshal Katung, the Senator representing Kaduna South. This decision is a significant step toward advancing education in a region known for its strong base of educators and academics.

“However, we wish to draw the President’s attention to the recent allocation of four federal institutions to Zaria, a single town that already boasts 12 federal institutions. The new institutions allocated to Zaria include: Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery; Federal College of Education; Federal Open University and Federal College of Legal Studies.

“These new allocations further centralize federal institutions in Zaria (Zone 1), which already hosts the following: Ahmadu Bello University (ABU); Federal College of Education (FCoE); Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology; Nigerian Leather Research Institute; Nigeria College of Aviation Technology; Division of Agricultural Colleges (DAC); Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR); National Research Institute for Chemical Technology; National Animal Production Research Institute; National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services; Nigerian Army School of Military Police and Nigeria Army School of Legal Services.”

This level of concentration of Federal Institutions in a single town (not to talk about the state-owned institutions in the town) risks marginalizing and underdeveloping other parts of the state.

“We, therefore, urge the President and relevant stakeholders, including the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Uba Sani, the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, to revisit and reconsider the allocation of these new institutions. A more equitable distribution will foster balanced development and ensure that no part of Kaduna State is left behind.”

Abrak insisted that: “The NCYP as an ardent supporter and campaigner of President Tinubu’s leadership style of inclusiviness and fairness for robust growth and development, we remain steadfast in advocating for initiatives that promote the equitable development and well-being of all Nigerians, especially in northern region.”

Group Calls for Establishment of Federal Medical Centre in Southern Kaduna