The NNPC Foundation has strengthened healthcare services in Northern Nigeria with the donation and commissioning of a modern 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano.
The advanced diagnostic equipment, regarded as one of the most reliable imaging technologies in modern medicine, is expected to significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of trauma, orthopaedic, neurological, and musculoskeletal conditions within Kano and neighbouring states.
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Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuela Arukwe, said the intervention reflects the company’s commitment to supporting national development through impactful social investments.
He noted that healthcare remains one of the foundation’s priority areas, emphasising that the newly installed MRI machine would enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce treatment delays, and make specialised healthcare services more accessible and affordable to Nigerians.
Ojulari explained that the Foundation carefully selects projects with long-term benefits, adding that the facility would reduce the burden on patients who previously travelled outside Kano in search of advanced imaging services.
The Managing Director, NNPC Foundation Limited, Emmanuela Arukwe, represented by Executive Director, Programme Development, NNPC Foundation, Dr Bala David, said the project was designed to improve access to quality healthcare and strengthen trauma care services across Northern Nigeria.
She observed that inadequate medical equipment continues to pose serious challenges in many developing countries, often leading to delayed diagnoses, costly referrals, and poor treatment outcomes.
According to her, the MRI system will improve diagnostic precision, shorten waiting periods, reduce travel-related risks, and support better patient outcomes.
She added that healthcare personnel have been trained to operate and maintain the equipment, ensuring its sustainability and long-term effectiveness.
Also speaking was the Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Limited, Sophia Mbakwe, represented by the Executive Director, Programme Management and Project Coordinator of the NNPC Foundation, Engr. Rose Okonkwo said the intervention followed a comprehensive needs assessment.
She described the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, as a critical healthcare institution in Northern Nigeria and expressed confidence that the MRI facility would address longstanding diagnostic challenges and improve access to advanced medical care.
Mbakwe urged the hospital management to prioritise maintenance of the equipment to ensure it continues to serve future generations.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Director of Special Projects Dr Michael Akphan commended the NNPC Foundation for the initiative and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage across the country.
He stressed the importance of proper maintenance to maximise the facility’s impact on healthcare delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Kano State Government, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, expressed appreciation to NNPC Limited for the intervention and appealed for support in completing the state’s isolation centre to enhance healthcare services.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Dr Isa Nurudeen, described the commissioning as a landmark achievement for the institution.
He recalled that the absence of an MRI machine had long posed a major challenge, forcing patients to travel considerable distances and incur huge costs to access advanced diagnostic services.
According to him, previous efforts to procure the equipment were unsuccessful due to the enormous financial resources required.
Dr Nurudeen stated that the MRI system would significantly improve the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities by providing detailed imaging of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, the spinal cord, and other soft tissues, thereby supporting early diagnosis, effective treatment planning, and improved patient care.
He further revealed that the machine, manufactured in 2025, ranks among the most modern diagnostic imaging facilities available in Northern Nigeria and would also serve as a valuable tool for medical training and capacity building.
The Chief Medical Director commended the NNPC Foundation for the intervention and assured stakeholders that the hospital would ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the equipment.
The event was attended by officials of NNPC Limited, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Kano State Government, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders, who described the project as a major boost to specialised healthcare services and a significant step toward reducing medical referrals outside the region.
