The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has donated a 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in Northern Nigeria.
The diagnostic equipment was inaugurated and handed over to the management of the hospital on Thursday in Kano.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo-Ojulari, said the intervention underscored the company’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians through strategic investments in critical sectors.
Bayo-Ojulari, who was represented by the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said the company remained committed to impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives.
According to him, “The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, is a vital institution in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape with a long-standing reputation in trauma and orthopaedic care.
“Strengthening its diagnostic capacity will significantly improve service delivery and reduce the burden of accessibility and affordability on patients.”
He noted that Nigeria’s healthcare system continued to grapple with infrastructure deficits, inadequate medical equipment and increasing demand for specialised healthcare services.
The NNPC boss added that the MRI machine would enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve patient outcomes, while urging stakeholders to ensure proper maintenance and utilisation of the facility.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC, Mrs Sophia Mbakwe, said the machine would boost the hospital’s capacity to diagnose complex orthopaedic, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.
Represented by the Executive Director, Programme Management, NNPC Foundation, Engr. Rose Okonkwo, Mbakwe said the intervention would make advanced healthcare services more accessible and affordable to residents of Kano and neighbouring states.
Similarly, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, represented by the Executive Director, Programme Development, Dr Bala David, described the installation of the MRI machine as a major milestone in healthcare delivery.
She said inadequate diagnostic equipment remained a major challenge in many developing countries, often resulting in delayed diagnosis, long-distance referrals and increased financial burdens on patients.
“The MRI system will improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce treatment delays and support better clinical outcomes for patients,” she stated.
Earlier, the Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Dr Isa Nurudeen, described the donation as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the hospital.
According to him, the absence of an MRI machine had forced patients to travel to other locations for advanced diagnostic services, resulting in delays and additional costs.
“The MRI machine being commissioned today is the most modern in Northern Nigeria. It was manufactured in 2025 and will greatly enhance our capacity to deliver quality specialised healthcare services.
“This intervention will save patients the stress and cost of seeking advanced imaging services outside Kano and will improve the quality and timeliness of care,” Nurudeen said.
He added that the equipment would improve diagnosis and treatment planning for orthopaedic, neurological, surgical, paediatric and gynaecological conditions.
The medical director commended the NNPC Foundation for the donation and assured that the hospital would ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the facility.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, described the donation as timely and impactful.
The governor commended the NNPC Foundation for supporting healthcare delivery and reiterated the state government’s commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and services for the benefit of residents.
