On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, undertook an official visit to the Niger-Türkiye Friendship Hospital. The primary objectives were to personally evaluate the condition of the infrastructure and medical equipment, gain insight into the working environment of the healthcare professionals, and engage in discussions to identify their challenges and formulate appropriate solutions.
Upon his arrival, the Minister commenced a thorough tour of various departments within the hospital. This included the emergency unit, mammography department, operating theaters, the neonatal intensive care unit, embryology and oocyte retrieval laboratories, and the gynecology and obstetrics service. Following this guided inspection, the ministerial delegation received a detailed presentation outlining the hospital’s history, achievements, current needs, and existing shortcomings, which preceded a direct dialogue between the Minister and the hospital staff.
During the briefing, Mr. Manou Gagara, the Director of Care, reiterated that the hospital was established by Decree N°2018-767/PRN/MSP on November 2, 2018, and began its operational activities in November 2019. Its core mission is to deliver high-quality care and services to women and children, while also contributing to medical research, training initiatives, and public health promotion. He highlighted that the facility is equipped with 45 active beds, 10 functional incubators in the neonatology department, a range of cutting-edge equipment, a kangaroo care unit, and resources specifically tailored to meet the increasing demand for medical services.
Mr. Manou Gagara further informed the delegation that several essential devices and supplies have been ordered and will soon be made available to the staff, enabling them to fulfill their duties more effectively. He also detailed that the hospital’s team comprises 188 Nigerien personnel and 26 Turkish cooperants, who are distributed across various specialties to provide a full spectrum of consultations. He proudly stated, “A total of 66,182 outpatient consultations were recorded with a 100% success rate from January 2025 to January 2026. For inpatient services, January 2026 saw 484 admissions, 212 deliveries including 147 caesarean sections, and 28 admissions to the neonatology department.”
Following this comprehensive overview, the Director of Care underscored several persistent challenges. These included, among others, a scarcity of essential documentation, the inability of the mammography service to operate due to the absence of a crucial X-ray analysis system, and a shortage of specific reagents. Additionally, several specialist practitioners also addressed the Minister and his delegation, articulating their daily realities and the operational issues they face.
At the conclusion of the inspection, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi expressed his profound appreciation for the unwavering commitment of the Turkish authorities in supporting the advancement of Niger’s health sector. He also commended the hospital staff for their exceptional work, noting the impressive performance indicators recorded by the institution. Addressing the identified difficulties, the Minister confirmed that in-depth discussions had taken place, and viable solutions were already being implemented. He conveyed his satisfaction with the observations made and the positive outcomes achieved by the hospital.
Furthermore, the Minister of Health lauded the productive partnership between the two nations and urged the staff to maintain their dedicated efforts. He affirmed, “We have identified resolutions for all the challenges brought to light. I call upon the entire administration to foster a continuous climate of trust and collaboration between the Turkish and Nigerien personnel, ensuring that this hospital achieves even greater results.”
