President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s health system to ensure the availability of affordable and quality medical services for all Nigerians.
The President, represented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made this known on Thursday while commissioning 10 medical infrastructure projects at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, UATH, Gwagwalada.
He noted that similar infrastructure developments were ongoing across all Federal Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres, and specialised hospitals in the country.
“This is just one example. Across all federal tertiary hospitals in Nigeria, similar projects are ongoing.
“Over the last two years, we’ve worked to change the healthcare system, providing hospitals with equipment, infrastructure, qualified personnel, and systems to deliver quality and affordable healthcare.
“It’s a long journey, but we are just beginning under this President,” he said.
On cancer care, Tinubu announced the expansion of six major cancer infrastructure projects.
“Three are scheduled for commissioning next month, while the remaining three will be ready by the third quarter of the year.”
He added that strengthening primary healthcare was another major focus of the administration.
“In the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 37 million visits were made to primary healthcare centres covered under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
“More than 4,000 caesarean sections have been reimbursed through our health programmes.
“Health insurance coverage has also expanded, with more than 2.4 million additional Nigerians enrolled in the national scheme,” he noted.
Tinubu commended the Chief Medical Director of UATH, Prof. Bissallah Ekele, and his team for their strides in improving healthcare service delivery at the facility.
he Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, commissioning the renovated 34-bed male medical ward at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
In his remarks, Ekele acknowledged that timely government support had significantly improved the hospital’s infrastructure and motivated the workforce.
“The Federal Ministry of Health has been very supportive. In the past two years, our appropriation has increased with prompt fund releases.
“Whenever we submit proposals, they are approved, which has enabled us to acquire equipment for clinical services, teaching, and staff welfare,” he said.
Ekele explained that UATH provided clinical services, teaching, training, and research, boasting a wide range of medical specialties and a strong laboratory system.
“We train undergraduate medical, nursing, and recently, laboratory science students.
“One unique programme we offer is the remediation programme for foreign-trained medical graduates, organised by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
“Last year, 94 candidates participated, and 90 passed the qualifying exam held in Ibadan,” he said.
He listed the 10 newly commissioned medical infrastructure projects to include: renovation and furnishing of the male surgical ward, renovation of a 34-bed male medical ward and renovation of the family planning unit.
Others are six-bed intensive care unit, construction and furnishing of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) unit, a 50-room residential block for interns, 50-room call duty block, and installation of a CT scan machine.
Others include construction of a staff quarters block and additional infrastructure and equipment,
Ekele also appreciated the Minister of Health for the approval and award of a contract for an MRI machine, along with the construction of a new building to house it.
He further appealed for the provision of solar energy to enhance sustainable power supply to the hospital.
Dr Ikechukwu Odikpo, Board Chairman of UATH, stated that with the ongoing infrastructure development and the President’s vision, affordable healthcare would increasingly become accessible to all Nigerians.
NAN
