The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has announced a partnership with Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano, aimed at reducing the cost of quality healthcare by addressing the hospital’s operational challenges, particularly its high energy expenses.
The Managing Director of the Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, disclosed this while receiving the Chief Medical Director of Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Isa Nurudeen, during a meeting in Kano.
Professor Ma’aji said the Commission would conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of the hospital, with particular attention to its energy requirements for powering sophisticated medical equipment. He explained that the assessment would guide the development of a partnership framework designed to reduce the hospital’s operational and maintenance costs.
According to him, lowering the hospital’s running expenses would ultimately translate into more affordable medical services for patients.
“As an intervention agency, we are committed to supporting institutions that provide critical healthcare services. By helping to reduce operational costs, we expect patients to benefit through lower service charges,” he said.
The NWDC boss also revealed plans to extend similar support to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, noting that the three institutions serve people from across the North-West and beyond.
He stressed that strengthening these healthcare facilities would improve service delivery, make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and reduce the number of Nigerians seeking medical treatment abroad.
Professor Ma’aji added that the partnership would also focus on training technical personnel in the operation and maintenance of advanced medical equipment to ensure prompt repairs and reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers for technical support.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Isa Nurudeen, said the visit was to seek the Commission’s intervention in addressing key operational challenges confronting the hospital.
He identified the hospital’s energy needs as a major concern, particularly for its newly acquired Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Dr. Nurudeen explained that the MRI machine requires uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply to function effectively, but the high cost of electricity from the national grid and the rising cost of diesel have made its operation financially challenging.
He appealed to the Commission to support the hospital with a sustainable alternative energy source that would ensure the equipment operates efficiently without placing excessive financial pressure on the hospital.
Established in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the North-West Development Commission is mandated to accelerate infrastructure development and address long-standing developmental challenges across the North-West region. Its core areas of intervention include security, agriculture, health, education, environmental protection, and women and youth development.