Zamfara State, located in the northwestern region of Nigeria, has a growing healthcare sector that serves both its urban and rural populations. As one of the states with a predominantly agrarian society, Zamfara faces a range of health challenges, including limited access to specialized care, maternal and child health concerns, and outbreaks of communicable diseases. However, the presence of hospitals, private clinics, and primary health centers (PHCs) across the state continues to improve access to healthcare for its residents.
This blog post presents a detailed overview of the healthcare facilities in Zamfara State — highlighting tertiary hospitals, secondary and private clinics, and rural health centers along with their addresses and the services they offer.
1. Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau
Location: Sokoto Bye-Pass Road, Gusau, Zamfara State
Type: Tertiary Hospital
As the leading tertiary healthcare facility in Zamfara State, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Gusau plays a crucial role in the state's healthcare delivery. It serves as a referral hospital for complex and severe medical conditions that cannot be handled by lower-tier facilities.
Services Offered:
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Emergency services (24/7)
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Intensive care unit (ICU)
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Surgical and medical wards
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Pediatrics and neonatal care
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Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT scans)
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Laboratory services
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HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis treatment
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Internal medicine and family medicine
The hospital is government-funded and accommodates patients from all parts of Zamfara State, including neighboring rural LGAs.
2. Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau
Location: Gada Biyu, Gusau, Zamfara State
Type: State Specialist Hospital
Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital is one of the best-known state-run hospitals in Zamfara. It provides services in specialized fields and often collaborates with health organizations to implement outreach programs, immunizations, and health education campaigns.
Services Offered:
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General outpatient care
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Obstetrics and gynecology
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Internal medicine
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Surgical procedures
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Maternal and child health services
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Dental and ophthalmology clinics
This hospital plays an important role in providing secondary healthcare and acts as a stepping stone between PHCs and tertiary-level services.
3. General Hospitals in Zamfara State
Each Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara typically has at least one General Hospital operated by the State Ministry of Health. These hospitals are strategically placed to serve the rural populations with more advanced services than what PHCs offer.
Notable General Hospitals include:
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General Hospital, Kaura Namoda
Location: Off Shinkafi Road, Kaura Namoda
A key healthcare provider for the eastern part of the state. -
General Hospital, Maru
Location: Along Gusau–Maru Road, Maru
Serves as a referral point for nearby PHCs. -
General Hospital, Tsafe
Location: Tsafe town center, Tsafe LGA
Provides inpatient care, maternity services, and emergency treatment. -
General Hospital, Talata Mafara
Location: Central Talata Mafara
Supports maternal, surgical, and outpatient cases.
These general hospitals often have resident doctors, nurses, midwives, and laboratory staff, though they sometimes face shortages of specialized personnel or equipment.
4. Private Clinics and Hospitals
Private healthcare facilities offer an alternative for residents seeking faster access to care or more personalized medical services. While these facilities may be costlier, they often provide shorter waiting times and better attention to individual cases.
Some notable private clinics and hospitals in Gusau include:
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Arewa Hospital
Location: Sani Abacha Way, Sabon Gari, Gusau
Offers general medicine, obstetrics, and minor surgery. -
Rama Hospital
Location: Along Ahmadu Bello Way, Gusau
Known for diagnostic services, pharmacy access, and outpatient care. -
Farida General Hospital
Location: Gusau Central
Provides general and maternal health services. -
Daula Hospital and Maternity Centre
Location: Tudun Wada, Gusau
Focused on pregnancy care, delivery services, and postnatal support.
These clinics are equipped with basic diagnostics, qualified doctors, and small inpatient wards. Some offer mobile health programs and home visits, especially for chronic patients.
5. Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
PHCs form the backbone of Zamfara’s rural health strategy. With more than 140 PHCs scattered across the state, every ward typically has at least one functioning primary health center. These facilities are instrumental in:
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Routine immunizations
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Maternal and child health
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Family planning services
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Health education and counseling
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Management of minor illnesses and injuries
Sample PHCs Across Zamfara:
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Primary Health Centre, Shinkafi
Offers outpatient services, antenatal care, and malaria treatment. -
PHC, Maradun
Handles routine immunization, delivery services, and community outreach. -
PHC, Gummi
Provides treatment for diarrhea, childhood illnesses, and vaccinations. -
PHC, Bungudu
Coordinates health awareness campaigns and basic curative care. -
PHC, Zurmi
Focused on health promotion, maternal care, and minor emergencies.
Most PHCs are staffed by community health extension workers (CHEWs), nurses, and midwives. While they may not offer surgeries or advanced treatments, their contribution to reducing maternal and child mortality is critical.
6. Health Challenges in Zamfara State
Despite improvements in infrastructure and government intervention, Zamfara faces several health-related challenges:
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Insecurity: Some rural areas face accessibility issues due to banditry, limiting regular healthcare delivery.
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Underfunding: Some PHCs operate without adequate medicines, equipment, or trained staff.
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Maternal mortality: While improvements are ongoing, maternal death rates remain high in certain LGAs.
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Limited tertiary care: Only one major tertiary hospital (FMC) serves the entire state, resulting in pressure and long wait times.
To mitigate these issues, partnerships with NGOs, community-based programs, and improved health policies have been advocated.
7. Recent Improvements and Health Programs
The Zamfara State Government, in partnership with federal health agencies, has taken several steps to address these gaps:
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Upgrading existing PHCs to 24-hour service centers.
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Distributing medical supplies to general hospitals.
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Supporting immunization drives against polio, measles, and yellow fever.
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Improving water and sanitation in health facilities.
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Launching community-based health insurance schemes to ease payment for low-income families.
Additionally, health workers are being trained regularly on emergency obstetric care, malaria management, and family planning.
Conclusion
Zamfara State’s healthcare sector, though challenged by various socio-economic and security factors, continues to grow. From the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau to dozens of general hospitals and hundreds of PHCs in rural areas, the state provides its residents with multi-tiered access to care. While improvements are still needed, especially in tertiary-level access and rural infrastructure, the foundations of a functioning health system are evident.
Whether you’re a resident seeking care, a health worker, or a policymaker, understanding the layout and offerings of hospitals, clinics, and health centers in Zamfara is crucial to improving health outcomes statewide.
