Kebbi Govt Moves Six Departments from Sir Yahaya Hospital to Kalgo Medical Centre

The Kebbi State Government has announced the transfer of six key departments from Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi to the newly constructed Kebbi Medical Centre in Kalgo. This decision is part of efforts to modernize healthcare services in the state.

Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Zarki Abubakar Zarki, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, stated that the affected departments include Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Dental, and Physiotherapy.

Dr. Zarki explained that the relocation aligns with Governor Nasir Idris’ vision of upgrading Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital into a modern healthcare facility capable of meeting contemporary medical demands. He emphasized that the move does not signify a complete relocation of the hospital but rather a restructuring to enhance service delivery.

Established in 1952, Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital has served the state for decades. However, due to the increasing population in Birnin Kebbi, the government deemed it necessary to expand healthcare capacity by utilizing the newly built Kalgo facility.

To ensure a smooth transition, Dr. Zarki assured that medical records for patients in the affected departments would be transferred accordingly. Additionally, transportation arrangements, including buses for staff and ambulances for emergency cases, have been put in place to facilitate movement between Birnin Kebbi and Kalgo.

The CMD also noted that Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital has faced limitations in training medical interns, particularly doctors. The modernization project aims to equip the hospital with the necessary infrastructure to support comprehensive medical training in the future.

Despite these changes, Dr. Zarki reaffirmed that Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital will continue to function as a major tertiary healthcare institution in the state, maintaining its critical role in the health sector.