Former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe North, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has announced a monthly healthcare support package of ₦75m for seven hospitals in the state.

He also unveiled a ₦100m education fund, monthly stipends for 1,000 women and youths, and plans to sponsor the enrolment of 100 girls in a federal government college.

Mr Dankwambo announced the initiatives on Thursday during the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in Gombe State.

The event was attended by the party’s governorship candidate, Professor Ali Pantami; PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Abdurrahman Mohammed; and other party leaders.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Faruk Yarman, the senator said the interventions were designed to improve the welfare of residents, particularly those facing financial difficulties.

Seven hospitals to receive monthly funding

According to the statement, Mr Dankwambo approved ₦10m monthly for each of seven hospitals in Gombe North Senatorial District to assist patients who cannot afford medical treatment.

The beneficiary facilities are the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; Specialist Hospital, Gombe; Zainab Bulkachuwa Women and Children Hospital, Gombe; General Hospital, Bajoga; General Hospital, Dukku; General Hospital, Kwami; and General Hospital, Nafada.

Their social welfare units are expected to work with selected stakeholders to identify and support financially disadvantaged inpatients and outpatients.

The senator also approved an additional ₦5m monthly for the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, to purchase dialysis consumables.

He said the additional allocation would bring the total monthly healthcare intervention to ₦75m.

₦100m education support fund

On education, Mr Dankwambo announced a ₦100m fund to support students in seven tertiary institutions across the state.

The beneficiary institutions include the Federal University of Kashere, Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, Federal Polytechnic, Bajoga, College of Education, Billiri, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, and Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa.

He said the intervention was intended to ease the financial burden of education on students.

The former governor also directed the Community Development Department of Funakaye Local Government Area to identify 100 girls for enrolment at the Federal Government Girls’ College, Bajoga.

He said the initiative was aimed at increasing enrolment and addressing concerns about the future of the school.

Monthly stipends for 1,000 women and youths

As part of his empowerment programme, Mr Dankwambo said 1,000 women and young people across Gombe North would be engaged as special assistants, personal assistants or marshals and receive monthly stipends.

He also announced the release of 52 motorcycles for PDP ward chairmen across the senatorial district, with one motorcycle allocated to each ward chairman.

The senator further thanked residents for their turnout at the party’s two-day programme and commended security personnel and journalists for their professionalism during the event.