Sokoto State has embarked on a sweeping overhaul of its healthcare system, focusing on strategic planning, infrastructural renewal, and targeted investment under Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, described the initiative as a “deliberate and holistic reform” aimed at rebuilding a system that had endured years of neglect.
“When the current administration took over, the healthcare system was in a state of disrepair broken hospitals, broken beds, torn mattresses, and outdated equipment.
What the health sector is witnessing now is not just patchwork, but a complete overhaul,” he said.
According to Abubakar, the reforms are anchored on Governor Aliyu’s 9-Point SMART Agenda, which places health at the core of development.
Ten general hospitals across the state are undergoing phased rehabilitation, with others receiving new beds, incubators, solar-powered energy systems, and borehole-driven water supply.
He revealed that critical diagnostic tools, including ultrasound machines and X-ray units, have been procured and distributed across the three senatorial zones to reduce patient congestion in the state capital.
“This administration is decentralizing access to health services. People no longer need to travel to Sokoto metropolis just to get an ultrasound or X-ray,” the commissioner said.
Beyond infrastructure, a comprehensive needs assessment has been carried out across all 23 local government areas, identifying service gaps at the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels.
Sokoto currently has over 824 health facilities, including primary health centres, health posts, and clinics, with at least one general hospital in each LGA.
Two previously abandoned general hospitals in Dange Shuni and Wamakko are now being prioritized for completion.
Looking ahead, Dr. Abubakar disclosed plans to establish a world-class referral hospital as part of the government’s commitment to strengthening both preventive and curative care.
“We are moving away from reactive health management to proactive and evidence-based planning. That is the real game-changer,” he stated.
While challenges remain, the administration’s data-driven approach and long-term planning are setting the foundation for a sustainable, people-centred healthcare system marking a shift from emergency fixes to strategic health governance.
