The Kwara State Government has taken delivery of a modern Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to strengthen diagnostic services and improve access to quality healthcare.

The government has also begun issuing employment letters to 150 nurses to bolster the state's health workforce.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminat El-Imam, disclosed this in Ilorin during a reception for an accreditation team from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

The team, led by Prof. Adeboye Muhammad, visited the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) to assess its Paediatrics Department for accreditation.

El-Imam described the arrival of the MRI machine as a landmark achievement of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noting that the acquisition followed months of planning and engagement to expand access to advanced medical imaging.

She said the equipment would enhance accurate diagnosis of neurological disorders, cancers, spinal injuries, stroke-related complications and other critical conditions.

The commissioner added that the MRI unit is part of a broader equipment upgrade that includes a high-capacity CT scanner scheduled for installation and commissioning at a key health facility in Ilorin.

"With these facilities in place, patients will no longer need to travel outside the state for specialised scans. This will reduce both the financial burden and the stress associated with seeking advanced diagnostic services elsewhere," she said.

Earlier, Prof. Muhammad commended the state government for strides recorded in healthcare and other sectors, observing that hospital upgrades, partnerships with universities and large-scale recruitment of health workers reflect a deliberate focus on improving healthcare delivery.