FG New Federal Medical Centre to Turn North-East into Nigeria’s Healthcare hub

By Achimi Muktar

In a renewed move to transform Nigeria’s fragile healthcare landscape, the Federal Government has announced a reinforced commitment to quality service delivery — with a major spotlight on the newly upgraded General Hospital in Kumo, now set to operate as a full-fledged Federal Medical Centre (FMC).

The announcement came during a facility tour led by Jimoh Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, who visited the hospital in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State on Friday. Salaudeen’s visit was part of a federal directive to inspect the facility’s readiness and ensure it kicks off operations without delay.

And what he saw, he described as nothing short of “marvelous.”

Healthcare Renaissance in the North-East

“This facility isn’t just window dressing — it’s functional, well-planned, and equipped with brand-new medical infrastructure,” Salaudeen said, beaming with optimism.

From solar-powered systems to newly installed radiology suites, operating theatres, and well-ventilated wards, the Kumo FMC is poised to become a beacon of medical excellence in Nigeria’s North-East.

Salaudeen reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to overhauling Nigeria’s health sector through massive investments in infrastructure and service delivery — calling the hospital’s transformation a “model project” for regional health development.

A Future Regional Health Powerhouse?

“If what we’re seeing today is anything to go by, this centre is on track to become a regional medical hub — not just for Gombe State, but for the entire North-East,” he added.

State and Community Applaud the Vision

Gombe State Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau praised the federal government’s timely intervention, calling it a “turning point” for health services in the state.

“This will drastically improve health indices and make quality healthcare accessible not only to our people but to neighboring states,” Jatau said.

Adding a royal endorsement, Emir of Akko, Umar Atiku, commended the upgrade, noting that the presence of a federal medical institution would boost the socio-economic outlook of the region. He pledged the full support of the local community, saying, “We will protect and own this facility — it belongs to all of us.”

A Sign of More to Come?

This move signals the Tinubu administration’s strategy to decentralize healthcare access, moving top-tier medical services closer to underserved communities. It also suggests that more hospitals may soon be converted or constructed to bolster federal capacity across the country.

With the Kumo FMC set to swing into action in the coming weeks, the federal government seems determined to make quality healthcare not just a promise, but a reality — and the rest of the country will be watching closely.