Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
The Federal Government has completed 10 world-class radiology diagnostic centres across Nigeria, as part of efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to transform the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Monday in Bauchi during the commissioning of a world-class radiology diagnostic centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).
Pate, who led a Federal Government delegation to Bauchi for the commissioning, also congratulated Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on his 68th birthday, wishing him many more years of good health and service to the people.
He said the visit marked the beginning of the commissioning of 10 major health infrastructure projects being implemented through the Federal Government, the Medical and Diagnostic Infrastructure Programme and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
According to him, the foundation for the Bauchi diagnostic centre was laid about two years ago, adding that all 10 centres had now been completed.
He described the development as the largest expansion of healthcare infrastructure and equipment in Nigeria’s history.
“Two years ago, we laid the foundation for the first one here in Bauchi, a world-class radiology diagnostic centre, and two years later, that facility has been completed, and all the ten facilities all over Nigeria have been completed,” Pate said.
The minister added that the Federal Government had also completed three world-class cancer centres as part of the broader investment in specialised healthcare infrastructure.
He said the Bauchi commissioning marked the beginning of a nationwide exercise, with the Federal Government proceeding to Ibadan, Oyo State, to commission another centre, while the remaining eight centres had also been completed across the country.
Pate said the projects demonstrated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s health sector through modern diagnostic equipment, infrastructure and improved hospital services.
He said the investments would improve access to quality healthcare while also supporting training and research.
“This marks a giant step in the commitment of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revamp Nigeria’s health sector with world-class diagnostic materials, infrastructure and equipment for services to Nigerians, as well as high-quality hospital infrastructure for services, training and research,” he said.
Pate also disclosed that the Federal Government was preparing six major multispecialty hospitals, with one planned for each of the country’s six geopolitical zones.
He said the initiative would further expand the Federal Government’s healthcare footprint and increase access to specialised medical services.
The minister commended the Bauchi State Government for its collaboration with the Federal Government, saying such partnership was necessary for the success of health interventions at the sub-national level.
Receiving the delegation, Governor Bala Mohammed expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Federal Government for supporting the state with critical healthcare infrastructure.
The governor, who was marking his 68th birthday, described the visit and commissioning as a “pleasant coincidence,” noting that the Federal Government’s intervention would complement the state’s efforts to strengthen tertiary healthcare services.
He said Bauchi, as a landlocked state with limited resources, required federal interventions to address gaps in healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised medical services.
Mohammed recalled that he had participated in the flag-off of the project about three years ago, when Bauchi and the Federal Government were controlled by different political parties.
He said the continuity of the project demonstrated that development initiatives should transcend partisan politics.
“When we see good things, we say it. We don’t always just oppose and criticise for criticising’s sake,” Mohammed said.
The governor also commended the Federal Government for other interventions in Bauchi, including the establishment of a university of health and federal medical facilities.
He stressed that health and education should not be politicised, assuring the Federal Government of the state’s continued cooperation.
Mohammed also commended President Tinubu’s administration for security interventions in the state, particularly the planned establishment of military battalions in Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa.
He recalled that the state had previously faced serious security challenges and said federal security intervention had helped displaced residents return to their communities.
The governor urged the Federal Government to sustain its support to the state, assuring that Bauchi would continue to collaborate with federal authorities to improve the quality of life of its citizens.
He further commended Prof. Pate and the management of ATBUTH for their collaboration with the state government, saying the new diagnostic facility would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery in Bauchi and reduce the need for residents to travel outside the state for specialised diagnostic services.
Discussion about this post