Minister of health examines conditions at the Niger-Turkey friendship hospital
The Minister of Health and Public Hygiene in Niger, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi, conducted an on-site inspection on February 25, 2026, at the Niger-Türkiye Friendship Hospital in Niamey. The purpose was to assess working conditions, evaluate infrastructure and equipment, and engage directly with medical staff to identify challenges and propose solutions.
Detailed tour of hospital services
Upon arrival, the minister toured critical departments including:
- Emergency services – to evaluate response capacity and patient care
- Mammography unit – currently non-operational due to technical constraints
- Operating theaters – assessing surgical capacity and equipment readiness
- Neonatal intensive care unit – with 10 functional incubators
- Embryology and oocyte retrieval labs – vital for assisted reproductive services
- Gynecology and obstetrics ward – a key service area for maternal and child health
A comprehensive briefing followed, highlighting the hospital’s founding decree (N°2018-767/PRN/MSP of November 2, 2018), its launch in November 2019, and its mission to deliver high-quality healthcare, conduct research, and train medical professionals. The facility, designed primarily for women and children, boasts 45 operational beds, a kangaroo mother care unit, and advanced diagnostic equipment.
Performance highlights and operational metrics
According to Mr. Manou Gagara, Director of Nursing, the hospital has registered:
- 66,182 outpatient consultations between January 2025 and January 2026
- 484 hospitalizations in January 2026 alone
- 212 deliveries, including 147 cesarean sections
- 28 neonatal admissions
The staff comprises 188 Nigerien and 26 Turkish healthcare professionals, covering all medical specialties. Additionally, new equipment and essential supplies have been procured to enhance service delivery.
Challenges and collaborative solutions
Despite these achievements, several operational gaps were identified:
- Incomplete documentation systems
- Lack of radiology equipment to interpret mammography results
- Shortages of critical reagents and reagents
Medical staff shared firsthand accounts of these challenges with the minister, emphasizing the need for sustained support to maintain service quality.
Minister’s remarks and future outlook
Colonel-major Garba Hakimi commended the hospital’s performance and praised the Turkish-Nigerien partnership that made the facility possible. He acknowledged the dedication of the healthcare team and noted that immediate corrective measures have been implemented to address identified issues.
He emphasized the importance of fostering trust and collaboration between Turkish and Nigerien staff to sustain high standards of care. “We have resolved all identified issues. I urge all staff to continue working in a spirit of unity and mutual respect to achieve even greater results,” he stated.
The minister’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring optimal working conditions for medical personnel in Niger.
