Tinubu Okays Immediate Upgrade of Key Health Infrastructure in 15 Teaching Hospitals, FMCs, Diagnostic Centres

* Includes establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres, critical health care expansion projects 

* UCH, LUTH, ABUTH, UNNTH, ATBUTH among beneficiaries

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate upgrade of key health infrastructure and equipment across all six geo-political zones in line with his administration’s vision of overhauling the health and social welfare sector for enhanced service delivery to all Nigerians.

According to a release issued on Friday by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale,

upgrading health infrastructure and equipment is a top priority of the president’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

To advance the landmark effort, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will carry out the comprehensive upgradation of cancer-treatment infrastructure and other critical developments in six tertiary hospitals across several geopolitical zones, in addition to the full renovation and expansion of prior investments to improve broad-based access to high-quality healthcare in all six geo-political zones of the federation.

Six teaching hospitals across the geo-political zones have been marked for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres per facility as part of President Tinubu’s bid to ensure that world class cancer diagnosis and care is accessible across the country. 

The beneficiaries include University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria (Nsukka) Teaching Hospital, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

The statement added that 10 critical health care service expansion projects across the fields of radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterization will be carried out in 10 hospitals across all geo-political zones.

The hospitals include North-west: Reference Hospital, Kaduna — (radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology),

South-east: Medical Diagnostic Centre Complex, Enugu — (radiology, clinical pathology, medical & radiation oncology),

North-west: Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto — (diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization), South-west: University College Hospital, Ibadan — (diagnostic and intervention radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterization) and South-south: University of Uyo Teaching Hospital — (radiology and clinical pathology).

Others are North-east: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi — (radiology and clinical pathology), South-south: Federal Medical Centre, Asaba — (radiology and clinical pathology), North-central: Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre Complex, Ilorin — (radiology and clinical pathology), North-central: Jos University Teaching Hospital — (radiology and clinical pathology) and North-east: Federal Medical Centre, Nguru — (radiology and clinical pathology).

The critical projects, expected to be delivered within 18 months, will improve screening and diagnostics for communicable and non-communicable diseases; reduce mortality rates and improve outcomes for non-communicable diseases; create considerable employment opportunities for clinical, administrative, and managerial personnel across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

The projects, when completed, will also build the capacity of clinical personnel in advanced procedures, diagnostics and treatment modalities, in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.