By MOSES KOLO

The Northern Christian Youths Professionals (NCYP) has passionately appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Southern Kaduna.

Mr Isaac Abrak, Chairman of NCYP made the plea in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Abrak said that the initiative would not only save countless lives but would also significantly enhance healthcare delivery across the region.

He said: ?Southern Kaduna has every justification for hosting a federal medical center as the region comprises 12 out of the 23 Local Government Areas in Kaduna State, spanning parts of Zone 2 and the entire Zone 3.

?It occupies 57% of Kaduna State?s landmass and accounts for 51.2% of the population, yet it has only one federal institution, the Federal School of Statistics at Manchok in Kaura local government.

?Currently, individuals with severe medical conditions in Southern Kaduna face immense challenges traveling for about 300 Kilometers to access better healthcare services at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital or the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Shika, Zaria.?

According to him, establishment of an FMC in Southern Kaduna will address the critical gap by providing advanced medical care closer to the people.

?Furthermore, it will bolster the efficiency of existing public hospitals in the region, attract health professionals, and improve overall healthcare delivery.

?We also express our appreciation to Mr President for consenting to the establishment of the Federal University in Southern Kaduna, specifically the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, via a Bill sponsored by Sen. Marshal Katung, the senator representing Kaduna South.

?This decision is a significant step toward advancing education in a region known for its strong base of educators and academics,? he noted.

The Chairman, also called for equitable development across the country, adding: ?We wish to draw the attention of Mr President to the recent allocation of four federal institutions to Zaria, a single town that already boasts 12 federal institutions.

?The new institutions allocated to Zaria include, Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Federal College of Education, Federal Open University and Federal College of Legal Studies.

?These new allocations further centralise federal institutions in Zaria (Zone 1), which already hosts many federal institutions such as; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Federal College of Education (FCE), Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) among others,? Abrak noted.

He observed that the level of concentration of federal institutions in a single town risk marginalising and underdevelopment of other parts of the state.

Abrak urged the president and relevant stakeholders, including Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, to revisit and reconsider the allocation of the new institutions.

He said: ?A more equitable distribution will foster balanced development and ensure that no part of Kaduna state is left behind.

?The NCYP as an ardent supporter and campaigner of President Tinubu?s leadership style of inclusiveness and fairness for robust growth and development, we remain steadfast in advocating for initiatives that promote the equitable development and well-being of all Nigerians, especially in northern region?. (NAN)

Update news