By Chiroma Ali Ibrahim
As part of efforts to sustain the breakthrough by the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) in kidney transplants, the Borno State Government has announced the release of one billion naira to enable less privileged citizens to undergo treatment for kidney-related issues at UMTH.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum revealed this at the 110th regular meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, held at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent reports that health facilities executed by the state and federal governments have been inaugurated as part of the regular meeting.
The 110th regular meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria had in attendance about seventy-two members across the country to review achievements and challenges in the health sector and chart the way forward.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum noted the critical roles UMTH and other tertiary health facilities play in addressing the healthcare needs of the citizenry and the breakthrough recorded in kidney transplants, especially at UMTH.
The Governor noted that the Borno State Government is also building the Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital to complement the efforts of UMTH, adding that the state authorities have built many General Hospitals across the state to bring accessible and quality healthcare services to the citizenry.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the federal civil service is committed to addressing the manpower deficit in the health sector and applauded Governor Zulum’s resilience and courage in addressing the challenges that have confronted the state.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, said Nigeria’s health sector is on the move as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope initiative in the health sector has been a unifying force, citing the transformational efforts noted in many federal tertiary health sectors.
Chief Medical Director of UMTH, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, noted the support rendered to the institution by the Borno State Government to the tune of five hundred million naira, which had enabled the running of services in the aftermath of the 2024 flood disaster, as well as support from the federal government and other well-meaning Nigerians that include Dr. Emeka Ofor, who donated one point five billion worth of a Linear Accelerator suite, among others.
Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors, Professor M. Bassi, assured the gathering that the CCMDFTH will sustain the transformational initiative of the present administration in the health sector.
There were goodwill messages from the representative of the SGF and WHO, expressing support for the transformational efforts in the health sector.
As part of the activities marking the 110th regular meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and other dignitaries inaugurated the 150-bed capacity Brigadier Abba Kyari General Hospital at Bolori II, built and remodeled by the Borno State Government, the School of Nursing, the GOPD, and the General Laboratory at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri.
Projects inaugurated at UMTH comprised the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Medical ICT Institute, the Interventional Radiology Center, the Jibril Aminu Heart Center, the Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi Stroke and Neuroscience Center, as well as the Linear Accelerator Centre and CT Scan Center, among others
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