Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has dismissed  the Chief Medical Director of Argungu General Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Ehiem,over concerns regarding the management of a N973m hospital renovation project.

The governor took this action after an unannounced late-night inspection, prompted by a patient’s complaint about poor hospital services.

Expressing his dissatisfaction, Governor Idris stated: “We cannot invest such a huge amount in revitalising the hospital and allow mismanagement to waste it.”

The dismissal came as the governor inaugurated the newly renovated hospital, a project aimed at improving healthcare delivery in Kebbi State.

Governor Idris also announced extensive healthcare improvement plans, including the renovation of major hospitals such as Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Kebbi State Teaching Hospital in Kalgo, and General Hospitals in Yauri, Zuru, and Koko.

He revealed plans to upgrade Kebbi Medical Centre Kalgo to a State Teaching Hospital to boost medical training and services.

As part of efforts to retain healthcare workers, the governor pledged to revise the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale to curb brain drain and increase allowances for medical science students.

He also approved the procurement of ambulances to strengthen the referral system, as well as the renovation and equipment upgrades of 13 primary health centres across the state.

To ensure uninterrupted service delivery, solar power systems will be installed at the State Teaching Hospital to guarantee 24-hour electricity supply.

Governor Idris reaffirmed Kebbi State’s participation in the World Bank-funded IMPACT Project, aimed at strengthening primary healthcare and advancing Universal Health Coverage by 2030.