The Technical Committee set up by the Ministry of Health on the relocation of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia to Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) has submitted its report.
The relocation of DASH to Akwanga was necessitated by the taking over of DASH by the Federal Government as University of Lafia Teaching Hospital.
The 15-member committee set-up by Dr Gaza Gwamna, Commissioner for Health and inaugurated on March 5, 2025, was chaired by Dr John Damina, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the ministry.
Speaking at the event on Thursday in Lafia, Chairman of the committee outlined what the state government needed to do to ensure a smooth takeoff of the specialist hospital in Akwanga.
He said that the government need to invest over N2 billion to provide surgical tools laboratory automation system, and integrated digital health infrastructure.
He added that the government need to employ 1, 060 staff across all health cadres and ensure they offer them good incentives to attract and retain critical specialists and sub-specialists.
The Chairman added that the General Hospital Akwanga where the specialist hospital is relocated to lack the space for specialised departments, lack theaters.
The committee also recommended that the current establishing law of DASH should be repeal to reflect the new location.
Damina therefore, said that with strategic investments and coordinated implementation, DASH Akwanga can evolve into a center of excellence for specialised care, training and research in the state and beyond.
Receiving the report, the commissioner appreciated the committee for a job well done within just two months of their inauguration.
The commissioner added that the report would be submitted to the governor for onward implementation to ensure a smooth takeoff of the specialist hospital in Akwanga.
Gwamna added that affordable and accessible healthcare services is one of the topmost priority of the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration.
The commissioner assured that the government would do everything possible to ensure a smooth takeoff as no investment is too much for the government to make in the health sector.
Gwamna further disclosed that the teaching hospital had absolved over 85 per cent of the staff of DASH, except those who chooses to stay or have less than five years to retire from service. (NAN).