NLNG Bolsters Healthcare with $500,000 State-of-the-Art Lab at ATBUTH

By Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi has commissioned a $500,000 state-of-the-art laboratory complex funded by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to combat the rising wave of lassa fever and other infectious diseases

Speaking at the commissioning on Thursday in Bauchi the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of ATBUTH, Prof. Yusuf Jibrin,emphasized that the new facility represents a strategic intervention in a region battling a surge in communicable and non-communicable diseases.

According to him, “Bauchi is one of the states with the highest burden of Lassa fever, cholera, and diphtheria

He noted that timely diagnosis and treatment remain key to managing such public health threats.

The CMD said the NLNG-funded laboratory, built following a detailed needs assessment, is equipped to handle high-throughput sample processing, advanced diagnostics, and research.

Prof. Jibrin described it as “a fortress of response” in the face of rising disease outbreaks, including surging cancer cases and antibiotic resistance.

“The new facility is expected to enhance ATBUTH’s capacity for clinical services, research, and medical training, and to support international collaborations, including with the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia.

“It will also enable early detection of Lassa fever cases, reduce diagnostic delays, and improve patient outcomes in Bauchi and beyond,” he said.

Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of NLNG, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving lives across Nigeria, highlighting similar interventions in Asaba, Bayelsa, and Abuja, under the Hospital Support Programme (HSP)

“Though we operate in the South-South, our vision is national,” he said. “This project is a testament to what public-private partnerships can achieve.”

Dr. Mshelbila highlighted that NLNG’s investments, including 100% of its domestic LPG supply and its ongoing train 7 project on Bonny Island, reflect its vision of sustainable impact.

“From neonatal care in Asaba to renal support in Bayelsa, the HSP is revolutionizing healthcare delivery,” he stated.