By: Gbenga Akingbule
For some years , access to quality healthcare remained one of the major challenges confronting residents of Borno State. 17 years of insurgency worsen the situation forcing many patients to travel long distances in search of specialist care and life saving treatment.
Gatekeepers News reports that the tide is beginning to turn, with hope gradually returning as the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum continues to transform Borno State’s healthcare sector through massive investments in modern healthcare infrastructure, cutting-edge medical equipment, and improved health services.
Today, the construction of the Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital (KIUTH), strategically located at the entrance to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, is set to revolutionise healthcare delivery in the state.
No doubt , KIUTH is one of Zulum’s most ambitious healthcare project. The facility is expected to provide world-class medical services, serve as a centre for medical education and research, and significantly reduce the need for residents to seek advanced treatment outside the state.
With the hospital slated for commissioning in no distant time , medical tourism is expected to witness a remarkable reversal, with Maiduguri emerging as a new healthcare hub. Rather than residents travelling abroad or to other parts of the country for specialized medical care, the city is poised to attract an increasing number of patients seeking quality treatment, alongside highly skilled healthcare professionals drawn by its world-class medical facilities and expanding healthcare infrastructure.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of KIUTH, Prof. Ibrahim Musa Kida commended governor Zulum for embarking on the ambitious healthcare transformation initiative, describing it as a landmark investment that will significantly strengthen healthcare delivery in Borno State.
Prof . Kida said the governor’s commitment to building and equipping modern medical facilities would not only improve access to quality healthcare for residents but also position Maiduguri as a leading destination for specialized medical services in Nigeria and beyond.
” We have a good number of state -of- the- art equipments, We have all the basics equipments for chemical pathology,
microbiology, hematology and immunology.
With regards radiology, we have mri, CT scan, digital xray machines, endoscopy towers amost others .
” The foresight of Governor Zulum in constructing what will be one of the best state-owned teaching hospitals in Nigeria is aimed at providing advanced, specialised, and affordable medical services. The hospital will also serve as a centre for the training of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, while promoting medical research, innovation, and excellence in healthcare delivery,” Prof. Kida said.
The CMD further disclosed that the institution has introduced attractive welfare packages, including quality accommodation and other incentives, for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. According to him, the initiative is designed to provide a conducive working environment, improve staff welfare, and discourage the migration of skilled medical personnel in search of better opportunities abroad.
“Our welfare packages are so attractive that they will encourage Nigerian doctors and nurses to “Japada” ( return ) to Maiduguri rather than leave the country. We are creating an environment where healthcare professionals can build rewarding careers, access modern medical facilities, and enjoy a good quality of life,” he said.
It is patinent to note that the teaching hospital is part of a broader healthcare revolution championed by Governor Zulum since assuming office in 2019. His administration has embarked on the construction, reconstruction and equipping of hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state, particularly in communities devastated by insurgency.
Mohammed Mala, a father of seven and a local barber, praised Governor Zulum for his transformative development projects, describing the construction KIUTH as a step in the right direction. He said the state-of-the-art facility would not only improve access to quality healthcare but also create employment opportunities for Borno residents, particularly healthcare professionals.
Mala expressed optimism that some of his daughters, who are currently studying health-related courses in higher institutions across the state, “may secure employment at the hospital upon graduation.”
