Teaching Hospital Bill for Southern Kaduna Passes Second Reading in Senate

By Abubakar Labaran

A bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has scaled its Second Reading in the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung (Kaduna South), was debated on the floor of the upper chamber in Abuja, according to a statement issued by the Senator’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Midat Joseph.

Leading the debate, Senator Katung argued that the bill comes at a critical time when the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, urgently needs a teaching hospital to fulfill its academic and healthcare mandates.

“When fully operational, the teaching hospital which is to be sited in Manchok will provide clinical training for medical doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. It will also generate employment and significantly improve access to specialist healthcare for the people of Southern Kaduna and surrounding areas,” Katung stated.

He emphasized that the zone currently lacks adequate tertiary healthcare facilities and called on his colleagues to support the bill’s swift passage.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau described the proposal as “straightforward,” given the pressing need for such a facility in Kaduna South. He commended Senator Katung for his consistent commitment to constituency development, recalling his earlier role in sponsoring the bill that established the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia which is now fully operational.

After the debate, Barau put the question to a voice vote, and the bill passed its Second Reading. It will now be referred to the relevant Senate Committee for further legislative scrutiny before a final passage.