The Zamfara Elders Forum (ZEF) has hailed the transformative contributions of former Governor Dr Bello Matawalle to the state’s health sector, describing his investments as enduring benefits for Zamfara’s people.
Speaking in Gusau on Wednesday, ZEF Chairman Hon Sani Muhammad Anka praised Matawalle’s achievements, questioning whether the current administration has matched such efforts despite substantial federal allocations.
Anka called on Zamfara residents to rally behind Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, stressing the critical importance of health to human development.
“Health is the foundation of progress,” he told journalists, urging unity to support leaders with proven records.
He warned against being swayed by empty promises in the 2027 elections, saying, “We have learnt our lesson.”
Under Matawalle’s two-year tenure as governor, the health sector saw significant advancements, Anka noted.
Eh said the former governor supplied 17 ambulances to healthcare facilities across Zamfara, ensuring improved access to emergency services.
“This move was part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s medical infrastructure.
“Additionally, Matawalle oversaw the construction of new Women and Children Hospitals, equipped with modern facilities, across all 14 local government areas.
“The initiative aimed to address maternal and child health challenges, a priority for Zamfara’s rural communities.”
The ZEF chairman highlighted the construction of 147 primary healthcare centres, one for each ward in the state within two years in the office.
According to him,” This ambitious project brought essential medical services closer to grassroots communities, significantly enhancing healthcare access.
“To further bolster rural healthcare, Matawalle’s administration procured and distributed 200 rickshaw ambulances to healthcare centres. These vehicles provided a practical solution for transporting patients in remote areas with challenging terrain.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Matawalle’s government acted swiftly, upgrading and equipping isolation centres at Damba, Kasuwar Daji General Hospital, and Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital. These facilities were critical in managing the state’s response to the global health crisis”.
Anka also commended the procurement of protective equipment and consumables for COVID-19 isolation centres, ensuring frontline workers were adequately supported. These efforts, he said, reflected Matawalle’s proactive approach to public health emergencies.
Also,the establishment of the Zamfara Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (ZAMCHEMA), signed into law in March 2019, was another milestone.
ZAMCHEMA aimed to provide universal health coverage, aligning Zamfara with global health standards.
Anka c urged Zamfara’s people to reflect on Matawalle’s contributions and support his ongoing leadership. “His legacy in health is undeniable, and we must not be deceived again,” he said, calling for vigilance ahead of future elections.
