05/08/2025
Gwantu General Hospital: The Truth Behind the Renovation and the Misinformation
By Peter Ibrahim
In every democracy, criticism of government is not just allowed, it is encouraged. Constructive criticism helps public office holders remain accountable and responsive. But when genuine concern gives way to carefully curated misinformation, and truth is replaced by half-truths and outright falsehoods, it becomes not an act of patriotism, but a disservice to the very people it claims to defend.
In recent times, an orchestrated narrative has emerged suggesting that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, has abandoned Gwantu General Hospital, the only public secondary healthcare facility in Sanga Local Government Area. The story is painted with emotion, fuelled by selective imagery and targeted commentary. Unfortunately, it is built not on facts, but on manipulation.
This piece is not intended to silence anyone’s voice, far from it. It is to provide balance, restore perspective, and ensure that what reaches the public domain is not only passionate, but truthful.
For the record, Gwantu General Hospital is not neglected. It is currently undergoing a comprehensive and phased upgrade, one of 16 general hospitals being renovated across Kaduna State under the healthcare infrastructure renewal programme of the administration of Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
As of today, nine of those hospitals have already been completed and commissioned. Gwantu’s turn is not forgotten, it is ongoing, and the work has progressed to over 50% completion. Some wards, the staff quarters, and the administrative block are among the sections already completed.
The renovation of Gwantu General Hospital was formally awarded to M/S Damalun Nigeria Limited, covering a wide scope, including the construction and upgrade of the administration block, surgical wards (male and female), post-natal and paediatrics wards, expansion of the theatre, and other critical areas.
While there have been delays, primarily due to inflation and rising construction costs, which have affected infrastructure projects across the country, the contractor has officially requested an extension of time, and that request is currently under consideration. Importantly, work has not stopped, and activities remain ongoing at the site.
It is important to recognize that this upgrade is not an isolated gesture. It is part of a broader healthcare transformation strategy by the Kaduna State Government, one that has also seen the rehabilitation of one Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of the 11 political wards in Sanga LGA. These facilities are now fully functional, staffed, and delivering services to residents at the grassroots level.
It is within this context that the story of Gwantu General Hospital should be told, a story of gradual but steady renewal, not a tale of abandonment.
Unfortunately, some voices, either out of political interest or genuine misunderstanding, have resorted to showing only the most dilapidated sections of the hospital, deliberately ignoring what has already been completed or is currently under construction.
This form of narrative construction is deeply misleading. It paints a picture that is emotionally compelling but factually inaccurate. It not only undermines the efforts of those working hard to improve the facility, but also erodes public trust, creates unnecessary tension, and casts undeserved aspersions on dedicated public servants.
To counter these claims, we encourage members of the public to examine the verified photographs provided alongside this piece, which clearly show the completed wards, staff quarters, and administrative block. These images are time-stamped, geotagged, and contain metadata that confirms their recency and location. They stand in stark contrast to the selective, visuals circulated by those attempting to mislead.
It is important to clarify that the pictures of the deplorable and leaking facility being circulated are those of the Outpatient Department (OPD) section of the hospital. This section was deliberately scheduled to be renovated last. The reason is simple and strategic: the hospital management needed to keep the OPD functional in order to continue attending to patients while other parts of the hospital underwent renovation. Though the OPD is not in the best condition, it remains usable and far preferable to completely shutting down the hospital for an extended period during construction. This decision reflects a balance between maintaining access to essential services and executing a phased renovation plan.
Of particular concern is the persistent targeting of the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who is not only from Sanga, but is also a respected public health physician of national repute. The suggestion that she has stood idly by while the only general hospital in her hometown deteriorates is not only unfair, it is entirely false.
Let us return to the facts, clearly and dispassionately:
• Gwantu General Hospital is undergoing renovation as part of a state-wide healthcare reform agenda.
• The contract awarded includes several critical upgrades to existing infrastructure.
• Over 50% of the work has been completed, and the contractor remains on site.
• Economic realities, including inflation and rising material costs, have affected the project timeline, but not the government’s commitment.
• Primary health centres across Sanga have been fully rehabilitated and are currently functional, easing the burden on the general hospital.
• Dr Hadiza Balarabe remains actively involved in driving Kaduna State’s health sector reforms and continues to represent Sanga with distinction.
Let us be clear: the right to speak, question, and protest must never be undermined. However, with that right comes a responsibility to be fair, truthful, and constructive. Criticism should seek solutions, not stoke division. Misinformation may serve short-term political interests, but it does long-term damage to public trust and social cohesion. At a time when government is making genuine efforts to reverse decades of decay in public infrastructure, false narratives must not be allowed to overshadow real progress.
The people of Sanga deserve healthcare that is accessible, dignified, and effective. That is exactly what the Kaduna State Government is working to deliver, through phased renovations, targeted investments, and a broader vision of healthcare reform. To pretend otherwise is not only a disservice to the people, it is a distortion of truth.
So, the next time someone presents Gwantu General Hospital as a symbol of neglect, ask to see the whole picture: not just the leaking roofs, but the rebuilt wards. Not just the complaints, but the context. Not just the outrage, but the ongoing efforts. Because facts do not lie. They simply need to be seen, and shared truthfully.
