The Chief Medical Director of Kaduna State Rural Hospital, Zonkwa, Dr Ezekiel Kwasu, has called on the Kaduna State Government to upgrade the facility to a General Hospital, saying it can no longer cope with the growing healthcare needs of residents in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area and neighbouring communities.
Kwasu made the appeal on Monday while receiving medical equipment and essential drugs donated to the hospital through the efforts of Comrade Danjuma Bello Sarki.
He said the hospital had continued to witness an increase in patient turnout and referrals from surrounding communities despite operating with limited facilities and manpower.
According to him, upgrading the hospital would expand access to quality healthcare, attract more qualified medical personnel and enable the facility to provide specialised services to patients within the area.
“The hospital has grown beyond its current capacity. An upgrade to a General Hospital will significantly improve healthcare delivery and reduce the burden on other health facilities,” he said.
The CMD thanked Bello Sarki for facilitating the donation, describing the intervention as timely and a demonstration of genuine commitment to improving healthcare services in the constituency.
Speaking at the event, Bello Sarki said he sought support from the donor agency after observing the challenges confronting the hospital and the need to complement government efforts in the health sector.
He maintained that quality healthcare is a fundamental right and pledged to continue mobilising partnerships and resources to improve healthcare and educational infrastructure across Zonkwa Constituency.
Bello Sarki also recalled facilitating the establishment of a modern science laboratory at Government Technical College, Abet, in collaboration with a Federal Government agency as part of his commitment to educational development.
The House of Assembly hopeful for Zonkwa Constituency in the 2027 general elections said he would prioritise legislation and advocacy aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, education, youth empowerment and rural development if elected.
Also speaking, the Agwam Bajju, Mr Luka Kogi Yabwat, represented by the Waziri Bajju, commended Bello Sarki for the intervention, describing it as a practical demonstration of responsive leadership.
He urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to support initiatives that improve the welfare of communities.
The Secretary of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Zangon Kataf Branch, Comrade Onismus Zakaria, said the donated equipment and drugs would strengthen service delivery and improve patient care.
He appealed to governments at all levels and other stakeholders to sustain investments in health facilities, stressing that quality healthcare remains critical to community development.
In separate goodwill messages, the Peoples Democratic Party Chairman in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Mr Martins Koya, and the council’s Women Leader praised Bello Sarki for his continued support for community development, urging political leaders to invest in projects that directly improve the lives of the people.
The items donated to the hospital included hospital beds, an ECG machine, wheelchairs, mattresses, stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, disinfectants and other essential medical supplies.
