Kaduna, GE launch scheme to equip 278 hospitals

Kaduna State and global corporate giant General Electric (GE), on Sunday, flagged-off a programme to equip 278 health care facilities in Kaduna State.  This is the biggest ever refit of the public healthcare infrastructure in the state. It represents the Kaduna State government’s effort, to provide a comprehensive solution to the healthcare challenges in the state, including maternal and infant mortality, communicable illnesses and the problems caused by the growth of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

At its first health summit held last year, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, governor of the state, announced the determination of the government to the perils that pregnant mothers and infants face. He said it is a priority to improve health outcomes for ordinary people. To achieve these goals, Kaduna State is striving to improve primary healthcare for all people, while at the same time, improving the quality and readiness of health service delivery, by ramping up the supply and quality of health professionals.

Under the partnership between GE and Kaduna State, 255 primary health centres would be equipped, along with 23 general hospitals across the state. The programme also includes a package of training for the healthcare professionals and a three-year maintenance agreement for the equipment. The project will deliver at least one refitted hospital, in each of the 255 wards in the state.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State, welcomed the flag- off of the partnership with GE. “Kaduna State government is seeking better health outcomes for its people.

This partnership with GE will accelerate the development of our health facilities and equip them to deliver better services. The equipment, technologies and training our state is getting under this partnership, will help to improve standards of maternal and infant care, implant safer surgical standards and raise our capacity for disease prevention and infection control.”