Niger’s Health Minister evaluates conditions at the Niger-Türkiye Friendship Hospital
The Minister of Public Health and Hygiene, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi, conducted an on-site inspection of the Niger-Türkiye Friendship Hospital in Niamey to assess infrastructure, equipment, and working conditions for medical staff. The visit, which took place in late February, included direct exchanges with healthcare professionals to identify challenges and propose solutions.
Comprehensive tour of critical departments
During the inspection, the minister toured several essential hospital units, including:
- Emergency services – evaluating response times and resource availability
- Mammography unit – assessing diagnostic capabilities and equipment status
- Operating theaters – reviewing surgical facilities and technology
- Neonatal intensive care – examining incubator availability and staffing
- Laboratory services – including embryology and oocyte collection
- Maternity and obstetrics ward – monitoring maternal and newborn care standards
Following the tour, the visiting delegation received a detailed presentation covering the hospital’s history, achievements, current needs, and operational gaps before engaging in dialogue with staff members.
Hospital performance and operational metrics
Director of Nursing Services, Mr. Manou Gagara, outlined the hospital’s mandate—established by decree in 2018 and operational since 2019—specializing in women’s and children’s healthcare, research, training, and health promotion. Key highlights included:
- 45 operational beds and 10 functional incubators in neonatology
- State-of-the-art medical equipment and a dedicated kangaroo care unit
- Staff of 188 Nigerien professionals and 26 Turkish cooperants across multiple specialties
- 66,182 outpatient consultations recorded between January 2025 and January 2026
- 484 hospitalizations in January 2026, including 212 deliveries (147 via C-section) and 28 neonatal admissions
The director also noted recent equipment and supply orders to enhance service delivery and announced upcoming deployments of critical medical tools.
Addressing operational challenges
Despite these achievements, several systemic issues were identified:
- Lack of documentation systems
- Inoperable mammography analysis due to missing radio components
- Shortages of essential reagents and consumables
- Communication gaps between departments
Specialists shared firsthand accounts of these obstacles during discussions with the minister, emphasizing their impact on patient care and workflow efficiency.
Minister praises progress and collaboration
Colonel-major Garba Hakimi commended the Turkish authorities for their sustained support in strengthening Niger’s healthcare system. He recognized the hospital staff’s dedication, citing strong performance metrics and improved health outcomes. While acknowledging existing challenges, he confirmed that actionable solutions had been identified and implemented during the visit.
The minister emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between Nigerian and Turkish medical teams, urging continued teamwork to achieve even greater results. “We’ve addressed every challenge brought to our attention. I urge all staff to maintain this spirit of trust and cooperation to ensure excellence in patient care at this vital facility,” he stated.
The successful visit underscores the ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare delivery in Niger through international partnerships.