Kano State governor, Alhaji Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has disclosed his government’s plans to convert three hospitals in the state into a university. The affected health facilities are Giginyu General Hospital, Zoo Road Pediatric Hospital and Pfizer Diagnostic Center, Kwanar Dawaki.

Kwankwaso made the disclosure yesterday during a visit to Gulf Medical University, Ajman, Dubai, “to discuss with its authorities ways of possible collaboration for the establishment of a campus of the university in Kano,” according to the governor’s spokesman, Comrade Baba Dantiye. Kwankwaso is currently in Dubai to meet investors in education.

“The Governor showed his hosts visual images of three hospitals in Kano namely, Giginyu General Hospital, Zoo road Pediatric Hospital and Pfizer Diagnostic Center, Kwanar Dawaki, which could be converted for the proposed university project,” Dantiye said.

“Receiving Governor Kwankwaso, the Founder/President of Gulf Medical University, Mr. Thumbay Moideen said the visit manifested the governor’s seriousness to work with the institution for the good of his people, promising that a team from the university will visit Kano next December for further talks,” the statement added.

News Express reports that Kwankwaso’s plans may meet with criticism as Kano – just like the rest of Nigeria – lacks adequate medical facilities, resulting in the new vogue of government officials and well-to-do citizens seeking medical attention abroad, especially in India, Germany, the UK and USA.

•Photo: Governor Kwankwaso.