In a major move to strengthen healthcare access in Niger’s southeastern regions, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Colonel-Major Doctor Garba Hakimi, inaugurated a new pediatric department at the Dungass District Health Hospital on June 28.
The hospital, located 130km southeast of Zinder city, was constructed by the NGO UNOPS with support from Médecins Sans Frontières and marks the beginning of a wider health infrastructure expansion in the Zinder and Maradi regions.
“This ceremony not only celebrates Dungass but also officially launches the construction of five district hospitals and 35 Integrated Health Centers across Zinder and Maradi,” Minister Hakimi announced during the inauguration.
He emphasized the significance of the ambitious program, backed by over 30 billion CFA francs in investment, as a key step towards social justice and equitable healthcare access.
The Minister underscored the expectation for “quality execution, on time and in full compliance with contractual obligations” from the implementing partners UNOPS and UNICEF.
He also called on local authorities, community leaders, and residents to actively support the project, highlighting its community-driven approach.
Representing UNOPS, a spokesperson highlighted that the new health facilities will not only address urgent medical needs but also generate employment for health professionals and local staff, thereby contributing to regional economic growth.
The Deputy Administrator of Dungass Municipality reflected on the project’s impact, stating the new hospital “will reduce the burden of patient evacuations to Magaria and Zinder,” improving local healthcare responsiveness.
The Dungass hospital, built at an investment cost of 181 million CFA francs, features a pediatric and nutritional ward with 40 beds—expandable to 100—alongside an intensive care unit, hygiene and sanitation facilities, biomedical equipment, and an initial supply of medicines. These upgrades aim to reinforce the resilience of the regional health system.
On the same day, Minister Hakimi, accompanied by the Governor of Zinder Region, toured health centers in the rural commune of Dogo Dogo and the village of Boborey, engaging with staff to discuss working conditions and provide additional support to improve healthcare delivery.
Concluding his visit, the Minister conveyed a message from President Abdourahamane Tiani urging the population to unite in prayers for peace and stability to prevail across Niger.
This comprehensive health infrastructure initiative signals a new era of improved medical services and community wellbeing for some of Niger’s most underserved regions.
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