How AbdulRazaq Is Rewriting Kwara’s Healthcare Story Through Strategic Reforms
Once defined by dilapidated hospitals, obsolete medical equipment and limited access to specialist healthcare, Kwara State is steadily emerging as one of Nigeria’s leading examples of healthcare transformation, driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, personnel, technology and universal health coverage under the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
From revitalised primary healthcare centres and upgraded general hospitals to the construction of the largest Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in North Central Nigeria, the state has embarked on reforms that are reshaping public confidence in its healthcare system and expanding access to quality medical services.
Rather than focusing on isolated flagship projects, the AbdulRazaq administration began its reforms by strengthening the foundation of healthcare delivery.
The government prioritised the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, rehabilitation of secondary health facilities, expansion of health insurance coverage, procurement of modern medical equipment, and improvement of the welfare and capacity of healthcare workers.
These interventions have significantly improved access to healthcare, particularly for rural communities that previously relied on poorly equipped facilities or travelled long distances for treatment.
Nearly 200 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) have been renovated, equipped and solar-powered through funding from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project, and state government resources.
Of these, 83 facilities have been upgraded to Level-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, complete with labour rooms, laboratories, pharmacies, immunisation units, clean water supply, reliable electricity, staff quarters and perimeter fencing.
Communities including Alapa, Magaji Ngeri, Ago Oja, Aboto-Alfa, Ijagbo, Babanloma, Oro and Lade now have access to modern healthcare facilities capable of providing quality medical services closer to home.
The reforms extend beyond primary healthcare.
General hospitals in Patigi, Lafiagi, Kaiama, Yashikira, Oro and other parts of the state have undergone extensive rehabilitation and upgrading.
One of the administration’s landmark achievements is the transformation of the former General Hospital, Ilorin, into the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH).
The upgrade has elevated the institution into a centre for specialist healthcare, medical education and the training of future health professionals.
Perhaps the most visible symbol of the state’s healthcare transformation is the newly completed ultramodern Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at KWASUTH.
Commissioned by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her recent visit to Kwara State, the facility is regarded as the largest Intensive Care Unit in North Central Nigeria.
The new ICU significantly enhances the state’s capacity to manage critically ill patients and complex surgical cases, reducing referrals to hospitals outside Kwara.
The AbdulRazaq administration has also invested heavily in diagnostic technology.
The government procured a 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine and a 160-slice Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, replacing outdated diagnostic equipment and strengthening the diagnosis of neurological, oncological, spinal and other complex medical conditions.
Modern ultrasound machines have equally been deployed to health facilities across the state, while **Sobi Specialist Hospital** has received advanced ophthalmic equipment to improve eye care services.
Complementing these investments is a state-of-the-art Oncology Centre, currently under construction in partnership with ASR Africa, which is expected to improve access to cancer diagnosis and treatment when completed.
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Recognising that infrastructure alone cannot improve healthcare outcomes, the state has also invested significantly in human resources.
To improve staff retention and welfare, the government implemented the full CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures alongside hazard allowances for health workers.
Hundreds of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have been recruited, while additional nurses are currently being employed to strengthen service delivery.
Capacity development has also remained a priority.
Dozens of midwives have received training in Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care, while hundreds of healthcare workers have undergone specialised training in nutrition, immunisation, disease surveillance, quality improvement and childhood pneumonia management.
In another milestone, Kwara became the first state in Nigeria to commence payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to developing a sustainable healthcare workforce.
To reduce the burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses, the government has expanded the KwaraCare Health Insurance Scheme.
More than 100,000 residents, particularly poor and vulnerable households, now have access to essential healthcare services through the programme.
The establishment of regional offices across the state has further improved access, positioning Kwara among Nigeria’s leading states in the pursuit of universal health coverage.
The administration has also institutionalised annual free medico-surgical outreach programmes across the state’s 16 local government areas.
In 2025 alone, more than 10,000 residents benefited from free medical consultations, surgeries, medications, eye care services and the distribution of prescription eyeglasses.
Emergency medical response has equally improved with ambulances deployed across all 16 local government areas, supported by outreach vans, motorcycles and digital monitoring systems.
The impact of the reforms is increasingly reflected in measurable health outcomes.
Kwara has consistently ranked among Nigeria’s best-performing states in primary healthcare delivery, winning the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge several times and attracting incentive funding exceeding $1.4 million to strengthen health services.
Routine immunisation coverage has consistently surpassed national targets, while nearly 500,000 children have benefited from Vitamin A supplementation and deworming programmes.
The state also records one of the lowest under-five mortality rates in Nigeria, reflecting sustained investments in maternal and child healthcare, nutrition and community-based interventions.
The confidence of development partners, including the World Bank and UNICEF, has further reinforced the credibility of Kwara’s healthcare reforms.
The administration’s achievements have attracted national recognition.
In 2025, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq received the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Award of Excellent Service in recognition of his contributions to healthcare delivery and human capital development.
The award complements several national recognitions earned by the state for excellence in primary healthcare and public health programming.
While acknowledging that significant challenges remain—including population growth, migration of healthcare professionals and emerging public health threats—the state’s healthcare reforms have demonstrated measurable progress across infrastructure, service delivery and health outcomes.
From modernised primary healthcare centres and upgraded hospitals to advanced diagnostic equipment, expanded health insurance and specialist medical facilities, Kwara has steadily repositioned its healthcare sector through sustained investment and policy reforms.
For many residents who can now access quality healthcare within their communities, the state’s health system is no longer defined by inadequate facilities and long journeys for treatment, but by growing confidence that quality healthcare is becoming increasingly accessible where it is needed most.
