Patients at the General Hospital, Minna, breathed a sigh of relief as the Niger State Government stepped in to clear their outstanding medical bills.
The free medical care intervention, launched to mark Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s birthday, immediately eased the financial burden on vulnerable families awaiting discharge.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, led the outreach and was joined by the Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Imam.
The team toured multiple sections of the hospital, including the Paediatric Clinic, the Male Medical Ward, and the Jumai Babangida Maternal and Neonatal Wing. Along the way, they settled hospital fees and covered blood transfusion costs.
To ensure complete relief, the officials also directed hospital management to suspend medication charges for the affected patients until they leave the facility.
The financial support provided a much-needed lifeline to many, particularly families managing acute diarrhoeal disease and nephrotic syndrome.
Relatives of beneficiaries noted that the timely intervention relieved their immediate financial pressure, allowing them to focus entirely on their loved ones’ recovery.
Speaking during the visit, Bagana explained that the exercise provides direct assistance to citizens while reinforcing ongoing reforms to healthcare in Niger State emphasizing the Niger State Ministry of Health’s commitment to improving hospital sanitation, strengthening supervision, and maintaining high professional standards across all state facilities.
To help families secure long-term protection against rising healthcare costs, Inuwa urged residents to enroll in the Niger State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
He explained that paying a simple annual premium is the best way to drastically reduce out-of-pocket spending during medical emergencies.
Hospital officials praised the state’s intervention, describing it as a highly timely relief effort as families across the state continue to navigate the high costs of medical care.
