The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gombe State Government to take over the General Hospital Kumo and upgrade it into the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Kumo.
The move is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare in the state and across the region.
The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, was presided over by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Dr. Salako described the agreement as part of the administration’s deliberate efforts to expand specialized healthcare services nationwide, noting that FMC Kumo will be the 16th federal tertiary health institution established within two years.
“This MoU shows our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location, has access to advanced medical services. The Federal Government is mobilizing resources to implement this agreement quickly and strengthen healthcare in Gombe State,” the minister said.
He also revealed that the government is working on a plan to establish a specialized centre for snakebite treatment in Gombe, with annual budgetary support for antivenom procurement, research, and public awareness.
Governor Yahaya described the development as a “timely and strategic intervention,” praising the Federal Government for supporting Gombe’s growing health sector.
“What we are doing today is the icing on the cake. This collaboration will benefit not just Gombe residents but also people from neighboring states who depend on our hospitals,” Yahaya said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, called the agreement a “historic moment” for Nigeria’s health sector, stressing that it reflects the benefits of strong federal-state partnerships.
She added: “Through this MoU, we are transforming Kumo General Hospital into a Federal Medical Centre that will serve as a regional hub for modern healthcare delivery.”
With this development, Gombe joins the growing list of states benefiting from the Federal Government’s push for equitable, sustainable, and community driven healthcare under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
