January 9, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
JALINGO, Taraba State — The Taraba State Government has ordered a temporary suspension of all operations at the Taraba State Specialist Hospital, the state’s premier referral healthcare facility, citing serious safety and environmental concerns linked to ongoing renovation works at the site.
In a letter dated January 8, 2026, and issued by the Taraba State Ministry of Health to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, authorities directed an immediate halt to all medical services to allow construction contractors to execute renovation activities “without hindrance and at an accelerated pace.” The order was approved by Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas and signed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, who emphasised the need for compliance in the interest of public safety and effective project execution.
According to the directive, the decision was prompted by environmental and safety hazards associated with the extensive construction and overhaul of the hospital facility. State officials did not disclose a specific timeline for when services might resume, but reassured residents that the suspension is temporary and tied strictly to the renovation work’s completion.
The Taraba State Specialist Hospital plays a central role in providing specialised medical services to residents of Taraba State and neighbouring regions. Its shutdown has raised concerns among patients and healthcare advocates about access to critical care during the renovation period, particularly for vulnerable individuals requiring ongoing treatment such as those needing dialysis or emergency interventions.
Some health sector stakeholders have criticised the closure strategy as overly abrupt, cautioning that a total suspension of operations at a major referral hospital without fully functional alternatives in place could jeopardise patient lives and undermine confidence in the state health system. According to local reports, certain patients remained in the facility at the time of closure, including those in critical care and maternity wards, raising urgent questions about continuity of care.
Public commentary on social media and among community leaders reflects deep concern over the abrupt suspension, with demands for phased renovation approaches that would allow essential services to continue while upgrades are carried out. Some observers also underscored the chronic challenges facing healthcare infrastructure in Taraba State, where shortages of medical staff and resources are longstanding issues.
The state government has pledged to manage the renovation project efficiently and safely, but has not yet announced interim care arrangements to support displaced patients or detailed plans for how critical services will be handled during the closure period.