Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has officially enacted a law that establishes the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) in Akwanga, alongside a commitment of ₦6 billion dedicated to the facility's immediate upgrade to meet tertiary healthcare standards.
The governor made this announcement on Wednesday at the Government House in Lafia while endorsing the bill that was successfully passed by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. He revealed that the funding is to be sourced from funds allocated by the World Bank, which has recognized Nasarawa State for improvements in its business environment.
"We have been granted ₦17 billion. Out of this total, we are setting aside approximately ₦6 billion for immediate allocation to DASH Akwanga to elevate it to the standards of a tertiary healthcare facility serving both Lafia and Keffi," Sule explained.
He further elaborated that the creation of DASH Akwanga was motivated by the necessity for each senatorial district within the state to have access to a tertiary healthcare facility capable of meeting critical health needs.
The governor reflected on the fact that the previous Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital located in Lafia has been transferred to the Federal Government to serve as a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Lafia. This situation underscored the importance of establishing a comparable institution in Akwanga to continue the legacy of the late Dr. Dalhatu Araf.
In conjunction with this, Governor Sule also performed the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed State Auditor-General, Kefas Julius Bala, whose nomination received the approval of the House of Assembly. He urged the Auditor-General to ensure strict adherence to financial regulations and the stipulations of the budget.
"As the Auditor-General, it is crucial that all governmental expenditures align closely with the budgetary mandates. This is imperative for maintaining integrity and combating corruption in all forms," the governor asserted.
In a related announcement, Sule appointed Dr. Abene Esla Ezekiel as the first Chief Medical Director of DASH Akwanga.
The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN, remarked that the processes adhered to during the selection of the Auditor-General were in accordance with established protocols and praised the governor's dedication to equitable infrastructure distribution and enhancing healthcare services throughout the state.
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