A HISTORY OF YADAKUNYA GENERAL HOSPITAL BELA, KANO, 1960-2022

ABSTRACT The study examines A History of Yadakunya General Hospital Bela, Kano, 1960-2022.’’ The sources used in conducting the research were written documents and oral interviews. Materials were consulted from archives and libraries, studied and analyzed. The hospital is only one of its kind that take care of leprosy patients in Kano. People attend the hospital from within and outside the state. The importance of the hospital cannot be over emphasized. Not only the people of Kano and its environs, but there are people from other parts of the country that attended the hospital. The establishment of the hospital in the area attracted many people into the area especially for economic reasons. The village continued to developed because of strangers coming into the area from near and far distant places. In an effort to expand the health care facility near people, Yadakunya General Hospital, commonly known as Bela Hospital was established in 1915. The hospital is located in the Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. The hospital was initially dedicated to treating leprosy and other skin-related ailments. Over time, the hospital expanded its services to address the broader healthcare needs of the community in 1960. In 2008 during governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau administration upgraded the hospital to function as a general hospital, making it the primary healthcare facility in the local government area. Despite its historical significance and essential role in the community, Yadakunya General Hospital has faced challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited medical personnel, and insufficient resources. Reports indicate that the hospital has only one medical doctor attending to hundreds of patients daily.