Kyari lays foundation for infectious diseases hospital in Katsina

The Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, yesterday laid the foundation for a 200-bed emergency and infectious diseases hospital in Kaita, Katsina State.

The hospital, being built at the cost of N21 billion, will provide services to patients in the North West zone.

It is one of the 12 hospitals being constructed by the NNPC across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Kyari said the project, being executed by the NNPC, Total and other oil and gas companies operating in the country, would be completed in 18 months.

He said the N21 billon to be expended on the project would be for construction of the hospital, provision of medical facilities, logistics and support to patients.

“The initiative is meant to strengthen the country’s national healthcare delivery facilities in combating the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.

“Katsina State is among the 12 states selected for this humanitarian project for the fight against COVID19 and other infectious diseases for generation yet unborn.

“We are doing this kind of project in 12 states in the six geopolitical zones of the country and these projects were practically

funded by the federal government through the NNPC,” he said.

Kyari said in addition to the project, NNPC had donated one Toyota ambulance, 10,000 pieces of face masks and full set of ventilator kits to the Katsina State government to support its ongoing war against COVID-19.

Earlier, Katsina State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, said the construction of the hospital would complement the effort of the state government in providing quality healthcare services to the people.