NCYP Urges Establishment of Federal Medical Center in Southern Kaduna

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to reconsider the concentration of four new federal institutions in Zaria. The group, in a statement led by its chairman, Isaac Abrak, emphasized the need for balanced development and equitable distribution of resources within Kaduna State.

The NCYP expressed concern over the allocation of four federal institutions—Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Federal College of Education, Federal Open University, and Federal College of Legal Studies—to Zaria alone, a town already home to 12 federal institutions. The group called for a fairer distribution of such institutions across the state to ensure that no part of Kaduna is left behind in the development process.

In addition to this, the NCYP called on the Federal Government, under President Tinubu, to prioritize the establishment of a Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Southern Kaduna. Abrak highlighted the dire need for such a facility, stating that it would significantly enhance healthcare delivery in the region, which currently faces considerable healthcare challenges. He noted that Southern Kaduna comprises 12 of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, accounting for 57% of the landmass and 52.1% of the population, yet it has only one federal institution, the Federal School of Statistics in Manchok.

The lack of adequate medical infrastructure in the region forces residents to travel long distances, sometimes over 300 kilometers, to reach the University of Jos Teaching Hospital or the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria for specialized care. Establishing an FMC in Southern Kaduna, the group argues, would bridge this healthcare gap, offer advanced medical services closer to home, and improve the overall healthcare system by attracting skilled professionals.

Abrak also acknowledged President Tinubu’s support for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Southern Kaduna, a bill sponsored by Senator Marshal Katung. He described the decision as a significant step towards advancing education in the region, which has a strong academic foundation. However, he stressed that healthcare development must also be prioritized to ensure the well-being of Southern Kaduna’s population.