Government's Commitment to Healthcare Enhancement In Nigeria

In a reaffirmation of the government's dedication to bolstering healthcare services, Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima emphasized the paramount importance of advancing healthcare delivery under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Vice President underscored the readiness of the Federal Government to provide support for the training of personnel across teaching hospitals and tertiary health institutions nationwide to effectively address evolving healthcare challenges.

During a meeting with the management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, at the Presidential Villa, Sen. Shettima expressed admiration for the significant progress achieved by the institution in recent years. He lauded the current leadership of UMTH for its dedication to excellence and highlighted the government's commitment to fostering human capacity development within hospitals throughout the country.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of training in enhancing healthcare services, the Vice President pledged to explore various avenues, including private sector partnerships, to support UMTH and other teaching hospitals in their personnel training endeavors. He emphasized the government's determination to harness collaborations with private entities to facilitate comprehensive training initiatives aimed at equipping healthcare professionals with the requisite skills and knowledge.

Highlighting the commendable achievements of UMTH under Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo's stewardship, Sen. Shettima praised the institution's expansion efforts, which have seen its capacity grow from a 600-bed to a 1305-bed facility equipped with modern amenities. He commended the proactive approach of UMTH's management, particularly in securing external funding and enhancing staff morale and capacity building.

In response, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo expressed gratitude to the Vice President for his steadfast support to UMTH over the past 15 years. He presented an overview of the hospital's accomplishments and outlined its future plans, emphasizing the need for continued government assistance to realize its vision of becoming a global center of excellence in healthcare delivery and personnel training.

Prof. Ahidjo highlighted UMTH's significant strides, including the establishment of specialized centers for Trauma, Dialysis, Cancer, and Stroke treatment, alongside a robust team of over 100 professors spanning various specialties. He underscored the importance of further support from the government, particularly in facilitating the institution's digitalization project through the construction of an electronic health institute.

Accompanying Prof. Ahidjo were key members of UMTH's management, including Prof. Sanusi Ibrahim (Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee), Mallam Idris Omar (Director of Administration), Prof. Modu Kagu (Director of Clinical Services), Prof. Faruk Buba (Director of Research and Ethics), Dr. Abubakar Mohammed (Director of Training), and Prof. Ibrahim Ummate (Director of UMTH Kidney Centre).

In conclusion, the government's commitment to healthcare enhancement, as articulated by Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, underscores a concerted effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and personnel training to meet the evolving needs of the populace. The collaboration between government institutions and healthcare stakeholders signals a proactive approach towards achieving sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery across the nation.