28/08/2026
United Methodist Church Breaks Ground for New Hospital in Yapandi
YAPANDI, Gombe State, August 28, 2026
The United Methodist Church on Friday broke ground for the construction of a new hospital in Yapandi, Filiya of Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State, in an effort to improve access to healthcare for residents of the rural community and surrounding areas.
The groundbreaking ceremony formally marked the commencement of the hospital project under the Northern Conference of the Nigeria Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church.
The proposed facility is expected to bring healthcare services closer to residents of Yapandi and neighbouring communities, who often travel long distances to access medical care. The challenge is particularly difficult during the rainy season, when poor road conditions can make movement to health facilities outside the community more difficult.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Head of Yapandi Community, Jauro Miya, expressed appreciation to the United Methodist Church for initiating the project, describing it as an important response to the community's longstanding healthcare needs.
“Many people in Yapandi have suffered because of the lack of access to healthcare. We often have to travel long distances to seek medical attention, and the situation becomes more difficult during the rainy season,” Jauro Miya said.
He said the hospital would reduce the burden on residents and improve access to timely medical attention.
“United Methodist Church has come to give us hope. This project will make it easier for our people to access healthcare,” he added.
Representing the Conference Administrative Assistant to the Bishop ( CAAB) of the Northern Conference, Rev. Antiya Ishaya described the project as a significant achievement for the conference and the wider community.
Rev. Ishaya said access to healthcare is a basic need and commended the leadership of the Resident Bishop of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, for supporting initiatives that respond to the needs of communities.
“This is a great achievement for the entire conference. Access to healthcare is a basic need, and we appreciate the leadership of Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel for this intervention,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Mark A. Tukur, Director of Rural Health Programmes, Nigeria Episcopal Area, said the hospital project reflects the church's commitment to bringing healthcare services closer to underserved communities.
Tukur said the facility is intended to serve the entire community and not only members of The United Methodist Church.
“The mission behind building this hospital is to take care of this community, not the church alone but the entire community,” he said.
He explained that the decision to establish the hospital in Yapandi was influenced by the distance residents currently travel before accessing healthcare services.
Tukur added that the facility is expected to be equipped with modern medical equipment and provide healthcare services to residents of Yapandi and surrounding communities when completed.
For Yapandi resident, Mr. Manu D. Yakubu, the project offers hope that the difficulties residents face in accessing medical care will be reduced.
Yakubu expressed gratitude to The United Methodist Church, saying the new hospital would provide much needed relief to residents who have had to travel outside the community to seek medical attention.
The Yapandi hospital project is part of the wider community-focused work of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, which includes interventions in healthcare, agriculture, humanitarian and relief assistance, skills empowerment, community development and evangelism.
Through these initiatives, the church continues to respond to practical needs in communities while extending its social and development work beyond its congregations.
The new hospital is expected to provide a closer and more accessible healthcare option for Yapandi and surrounding communities upon completion.
