Date: 2014-06-10

Former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalam has described the five General Hospitals rehabilitated by the Kwara State Government as bold steps in the transformation of the State into an economic hub with qualitative healthcare for an increasing population.

General Abdulsalam who said this at the commissioning of the ultra modern general hospital, Ilorin, noted that the hospitals were a reflection of the state government's commitment to the promotion of qualitative healthcare in the State.

The former head of state who said he was troubled by the present challenges in the country, but was hopeful that with developmental projects by the governments, at all levels the nation will overcome the challenges.

"Acts of good governance such as demonstrated by your government's people oriented programmes and new development efforts, as well as the entrenchment of equality and justice can strengthen our preparedness to work together to build the Nigeria we all desire and deserve", he said.

General Abdulsalam charged governments at all levels to continue to implement programmes and projects that will elevate Nigerians and provide them sustainable standard of living.

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed observed that rehabilitated general hospitals in Offa, Share, Kaiama and Omu-Aran were testaments of his administration's resolve to bring functioning healthcare to the people of the State.

Ahmed said the State government's dream of functional health system has become a reality with the rehabilitation of the general hospitals, establishment of world class medical diagnostic centre, expansion of Community Health Insurance Scheme and the continous enhancement of primary health system.

The Governor added that the various health policies and programmes such as equipping of health constitutions including 43 primary health are yielding positive results in the health sector.

According to him, "our surveillance efforts, advocacy programmes and targeted interventions such as free medical care for pregnant women and under five, have reduced maternal and child mortality and also created in our people the need to better take care of themselves and their environment through simple everyday measures".