KWARA HIRES 150 NURSES, PROCURES MRI TO STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE SERVICES
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Kwara State Government has stepped up its healthcare reforms with the recruitment of 150 nurses and the procurement of a state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to enhance diagnostic services statewide.
In a statement on Tuesday, Commissioner for Health Aminat El-Imam disclosed this while receiving an accreditation team from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
The delegation, led by Professor Adeboye Muhammad, was in the state to evaluate the Paediatrics Department of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital for accreditation.
El-Imam described the acquisition of the MRI machine as a strategic move aimed at bridging longstanding gaps in diagnostic services.
“For years, residents had to travel outside Kwara to access advanced imaging services. This administration is committed to closing that gap,” she said.
She noted that the installation of the MRI machine followed months of technical planning to ensure it meets international standards.
“This equipment will greatly enhance our capacity to diagnose neurological conditions, cancers, spinal injuries, and stroke-related complications. Accurate diagnosis remains the cornerstone of effective treatment,” she added.
The commissioner said the MRI acquisition is part of a wider equipment modernisation drive, adding that a high-capacity CT scanner will soon be installed at a major health facility in Ilorin.
“When patients are forced to travel for scans, it leads to delays in treatment and higher costs. This intervention is aimed at reducing that burden,” she said.
Beyond infrastructure upgrades, El-Imam confirmed that appointment letters were being issued to 150 nurses to boost manpower across public health facilities.
“We have begun the employment of 150 nurses, in addition to the 1,050 health workers recruited last year. Healthcare delivery cannot improve without strengthening the workforce,” she said.
Speaking to the accreditation team, she reiterated the state government’s commitment to advancing postgraduate medical training.
The Chief Medical Director of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Bola AbdulKadir, disclosed that the institution has expanded its training scope, securing accreditation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Family Medicine.
He highlighted ongoing reforms, including the upgrade of a General Hospital to a Teaching Hospital and the construction of a new General Hospital in Ilorin, as part of a comprehensive plan to reposition healthcare services in the state.
AbdulKadir also revealed that the state government has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Thomas Adewumi University and Al-Hikmah University to upgrade selected public hospitals into teaching hospitals.
Muhammad praised the government’s ongoing investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel.
“What we are seeing reflects deliberate planning and sustained investment. Recruiting health workers, acquiring modern equipment, and forging institutional partnerships are key pillars of healthcare reform,” he said, pledging continued support for specialist medical education.
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