Kwara: Healthcare Changes That Matter

Every community has a hospital that tells its own story. Some hospitals show neglect, with broken equipment collecting dust, overworked health workers facing limited resources, and patients traveling far for good care. Others share stories of hope, where government funding builds trust in public healthcare and brings life-saving services closer to the people.

For many years, Kwara was mostly in the first group. Years of poor investment left many public health facilities in bad shape. Specialist services were hard to find, and quality healthcare was a struggle, especially for those in rural areas. Many residents who had the money went outside the state for treatment, while those who could not afford it settled for less adequate care.

But now, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, a new story is emerging. This story is not just political talk but is seen in improved hospitals, better healthcare results, renewed trust from development partners, and more Kwarans who can now get quality medical services in the state.

Unlike many reforms that start with flashy projects, Kwara's healthcare change began with the basics. The government focused on fixing the primary healthcare system, improving secondary facilities, buying new medical equipment, increasing health insurance coverage, and taking care of health workers.

The results are becoming clear across the state.

Nearly 200 primary healthcare centres have been renovated, equipped, and powered by solar energy through efforts supported by the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, the World Bank's IMPACT Project, and state funds. Out of these, 83 have become modern Level-Two facilities with labor rooms, laboratories, pharmacies, immunization units, clean water, reliable electricity, staff quarters, and fencing. Communities like Alapa, Magaji Ngeri, Ago Oja, Aboto-Alfa, Ijagbo, Babanloma, Oro, and Lade now have health facilities that work well and provide quality services closer to home.

The changes go beyond just primary healthcare. General hospitals in Patigi, Lafiagi, Kaiama, Yashikira, Oro, and other places have seen significant upgrades. The old General Hospital in Ilorin is now the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH). This upgrade is not just a new title; it makes the hospital a center for specialist healthcare, medical education, and training future health professionals.

Nothing shows this ambition better than the new Intensive Care Unit at KWASUTH. The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, opened it during her visit to Kwara State. This facility is the largest Intensive Care Unit in North Central Nigeria. It greatly increases the state’s ability to care for critically ill patients and handle complex surgeries, cutting down the need for emergency referrals outside Kwara.

The government has also focused on modern diagnostics. When AbdulRazaq took office, much of the state’s diagnostic tools were outdated. Instead of sticking with old technology, the government bought a new 1.5 Tesla MRI machine and a 160-slice CT scanner, improving the diagnosis of serious medical issues. Modern ultrasound machines have also been given to health facilities, and Sobi Specialist Hospital received new eye care equipment.

Adding to these efforts is a new Oncology Centre being built with ASR Africa. Once finished, it will make it easier to diagnose and treat cancer, saving many families the stress and cost of going outside the state for care.

Yet, good healthcare needs qualified professionals. Like many areas in Nigeria, Kwara has faced the loss of doctors, nurses, and other health workers. The state’s approach has been practical and forward-thinking.

The AbdulRazaq administration has adopted the full CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures along with hazard allowances to help staff welfare and keep workers in the state. Hundreds of healthcare workers have been hired, with more nurses being added to improve service delivery. Training has also been a priority. Many midwives have been trained in Basic Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care. Hundreds of health workers have received specialized training in nutrition, immunization, quality improvement, childhood pneumonia care, and disease tracking.

Kwara is now the first state in Nigeria to start paying the Medical Residency Training Fund in 2025. This supports resident doctors and shows the state’s commitment to building a strong healthcare workforce.

These reforms have been paired with efforts to make healthcare more affordable. Through the KwaraCare Health Insurance Scheme, over 100,000 residents, especially the poor and vulnerable, now access essential healthcare services without the heavy burden of paying out of pocket. Regional offices set up across the state have made access easier, making Kwara a leading example in Nigeria’s move toward universal health coverage.

The yearly free medical outreach has also become a key part of the administration’s focus on the people. In 2025, over 10,000 residents in the 16 local government areas received free consultations, surgeries, medications, eye care services, and glasses. Emergency response has improved too, with ambulances in all 16 local government areas, supported by outreach vans, motorcycles, and digital tools that enhance service delivery and accountability.

The impact of these changes is now measured not just by completed projects but by real results. Kwara consistently ranks among Nigeria’s top states in primary healthcare delivery, winning the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge multiple times and attracting over $1.4 million in funding to boost health services. Immunization rates have regularly exceeded national targets, and nearly 500,000 children have received Vitamin A and deworming medication through state programs.

Independent health indicators also show positive trends. Kwara now has one of the lowest under-five mortality rates in Nigeria, thanks to strong investments in maternal and child healthcare, nutrition, immunization, and community programs. The renewed trust from development partners like the World Bank and UNICEF further supports the state’s healthcare reforms.

Recognition has come with these successes. In 2025, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq received the Nigerian Medical Association’s Award of Excellent Service for his role in improving healthcare and developing human capital. This award adds to other national honors earned by Kwara for excellence in primary healthcare and public health programs.

No one can claim that every healthcare issue has been solved. Healthcare is still one of the toughest areas of governance, needing ongoing investment, new ideas, and flexibility. Population growth, the movement of health workers, and new public health challenges mean the journey to build a strong health system is never really over.

But governance should be judged not on the absence of problems but on how well it responds to them. By that standard, Kwara’s healthcare story shows steady, measurable, and visible progress. With revitalized primary healthcare centers, upgraded general hospitals, the largest Intensive Care Unit in North Central Nigeria, modern diagnostic tools, expanded health insurance, and better health results, the state has shown that strong leadership can change an important sector.

Perhaps the biggest success of the AbdulRazaq administration is not the number of renovated facilities or the advanced equipment bought. It is the rebuilding of public trust in a healthcare system that increasingly serves everyday people. For many Kwarans who can now get quality healthcare closer to home, healthcare is no longer just a promise. It is becoming a reality.