President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the immediate enhancement of 16 healthcare facilities spanning all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. This directive entails an immediate upgrade to both infrastructure and equipment within these institutions.
Among the establishments slated for modernization are the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Surulere and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria. Notably, six teaching hospitals are earmarked for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centers within each facility, with a committed timeline of 12 to 18 months for completion.
The overarching aim of these modernizations aligns with the administration’s vision to overhaul the health and social welfare sector, ensuring equitable access to world-class cancer diagnosis and care for all Nigerians. This announcement was articulated in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu approves immediate upgrade of key health infrastructure across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones,’ signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Apart from the aforementioned institutions, other teaching hospitals slated for upgrades include the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Edo State, University of Nigeria (Nsukka) Teaching Hospital in Enugu State, Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, and University of Jos Teaching Hospital in Plateau State.
Furthermore, Tinubu has authorized critical expansions in healthcare services across various domains such as radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterization in 10 hospitals spanning all geopolitical zones. These expansions encompass a wide range of facilities including Reference Hospital in Kaduna, Medical Diagnostic Centre Complex in Enugu, Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, University College Hospital in Ibadan, and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, will spearhead the comprehensive upgrade of cancer treatment infrastructure alongside other critical developments. This initiative aims to enhance screening and diagnostics for both communicable and non-communicable diseases, thereby reducing mortality rates and improving outcomes, with a projected delivery timeline of 12 to 18 months.
Moreover, these projects are anticipated to generate substantial employment opportunities across clinical, administrative, and managerial sectors nationwide, while concurrently augmenting the capacity of clinical personnel in advanced procedures, diagnostics, and treatment modalities, in line with the administration’s overarching objectives.