TheCable

The Kano state executive council has approved N2.5 billion for the construction and upgrading of health facilities in the newly created emirates.

The emirates are Karaye, Rano, Bichi and Gaya.

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of the state, had signed a law creating four additional emirates in the state shortly after he was reelected.

The action was believed to have been targeted at whittling down the power of Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano, who reportedly worked against his second term.

Muhammad Garba, the state commissioner for information, said the approval of the fund for the projects was part of the outcome of the third state executive council meeting.

He said the funds will be used for the construction of accident and emergency wards, 22-bed medical ward, eye centre, ENT clinic and dental clinic at the hospitals.

According to him, the physiotherapy unit, laboratory unit, mortuary block, road network, landscaping, overhead tank, borehole, will be constructed at selected hospitals in the new emirates.

Garba added that there would also be a renovation in all the four facilities that involved the zonal office, pediatrics ward, accident and emergency, store offices, new laboratory, male and female wards, maternity block, pharmacy, x-ray, catering department, and theatre blocks.

The commissioner said the council had approved the award of contract for equipping and furnishing the soon-to-be-ready state cancer centre to improve healthcare delivery in the state.