The Periscope reported
Prof. Ahidjo’s leadership efficiency attracts interventions, takes UMTH to the next amiable level – Students
President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned landmark projects at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital UMTH, Borno state, northeast Nigeria.
Five projects, which were commissioned by the President are:
* Newly constructed and fully equipped 150-bed Trauma Centre
* A new General Outpatient Department
* A complex for National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
* A new hostel for the UMTH School of Nursing
* A multipurpose Auditorium and Conference Centre constructed and furnished by Prof. Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State.
Trauma Centre:
The Trauma Centre is a 150 bed capacity edifice with state-of-the-art equipment aimed to provide the best all-round specialist trauma related services. It has separate neuro trauma operating theatre, orthopedic theatre, vascular and general surgery units and theatre.
It is equipped with ICU, Radiology, Laboratory, Pharmacy, e-Record Section and a Helipad for emergency landing.
GOPD/NHIS/ Retainer-ship Complex:
The complex is a three floor facility; the largest of its kind in Nigeria, built to take care of the hospital’s over stretched, old building for out-patients, NHIS and Retainer-ship patients.
It serves as the main complex for Family Medicine. It has Out-Patient Clinics, Laboratory, Xray , e-Record Suplein, Restaurant, Library, Seminar Room, Lounge, Conference Room and a Pharmacy.
Physical Rehabilitation Centre
A modern Physical Rehabilitation Center built for the hospital by ICRC for Physical Rehabilitation of disabled patients from insurgency and other attacks or other Mobility impairments.
The Centre provides a wide range of physical Rehabilitation services such as:
*Physiotherapy
*Prostheses (artificial limbs) for upper and lower limbs (legs and arms).
*Orthoses( Supported Braces) for upper and lower limbs (legs and arms).
*Customized wheel Chair fitting
*Walking aids
*Mental Health Psycho-social support
*18- bed dormitory accommodation.
It has Manufacturing unit for production of Prostheses and Orthoses Devices for Disabled. It is fully equipped and furnished with a Dormitory for the disabled, complete with water and electricity supply sources.
The Completed School of Nursing Hostel
The completed hostel is a 40-room duplex with double bunks in each room to accommodate 160 students.
It has offices, ten toilets and bathrooms at each level, totaling twenty in addition to kitchen and laundry facilities.
The completion of this project would enable the hospital to take care of the challenge of inadequate accommodation faced by the school.
UMTH Auditorium
This is a 1000-seat capacity ultra- modern auditorium with conference rooms equipped with ICT facility, Conveniences and offices.
It was constructed and furnished for UMTH by His Excellency, the executive Governor of Borno state Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.
The President has during the virtual commissioning on Thursday, noted that the value of the projects at the UMTH, which is a Centre of Excellence in Infectious diseases and Immunology in Nigeria, to the nation’s health care system cannot be underestimated, especially in the era of global health system challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the completion of the capital projects aptly reflects the Federal government’s commitment to sustaining development in the North East, and indeed in all parts of the country to engender economic growth, peace and progress.
”Emerging diseases have made it necessary for all nations to increase and improve resource application for coping with the challenges or adapting to the ‘new normal’.
”This goes on in Borno State side by side with efforts to tackle insurgency and criminal activities,” he said.
On the 150-bed Trauma centre which comes with a helipad, the President expressed delight that it will provide modern multidisciplinary care facilities to injured persons from within and outside Maiduguri, in addition to reducing the need for referral to other centres.
President Buhari said that the intention of the government to render affordable quality health care with broad coverage will be boosted with the completion of the General Outpatient Department and the NHIS complex.
Urging citizens to take advantage of the improved facility, the President appealed to operators of these excellent facilities to imbibe the maintenance culture and ensure optimum utilization.
The President has described Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum’s approval for construction and equipping of an auditorium at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, a testimony to sound relationship that exist between government at the state and federal levels.
The Borno State Governor had through his intervention built an auditorium from the scratch.
“In the multi-purpose auditorium and conference hall constructed and furnished for University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital by the Government of Borno State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, I see a clear display of participatory ownership and example of sound relationship between federal and state government”, Buhari said
President Buhari also commended the collaborative programmes of the teaching hospital with indigenous, international, non-governmental bilateral and multilateral donors and partners, like the Physical Rehabilitation Centre, which is a product of the engagement with the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC.
”This Centre is now fully operational in this era of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement in Borno State.
”At this centre, complete physical rehabilitation that includes physiotherapy and fitting of limb prosthesis can be undertaken locally, to end the need for outside referral.
”I express Nigeria’s deep appreciation to ICRC and other partners engaged in collaboration assistance,” he said.
President Buhari has also commended the Management and Board of the UMTH and the Ministry of Health on their performance, where he said, ”Nigeria is proud of your achievements. I urge all staff to continue to work together harmoniously, to ensure successful delivery of other ongoing capital projects in the hospital, for the benefit of citizens who seek care here.
”I assure you of my commitment to improved healthcare delivery services all over Nigeria”.
During the virtual commissioning, Buhari from Abuja, directed Governor Zulum and Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire who were both at the UMTH, to physically unveil plaques commemorating the presidential commissioning.
The President also directed the Head of Service of the Federation and the Budget Office to consider an increase in the personnel and overhead allocation of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari noted that the increase in personnel and allocation at UMTH would optimise services provided by the activation of the new projects.
Governor Babagana Zulum commended the Federal Government for the laudable projects executed under the Buhari administration in Borno.
“This institution (UMTH) has never witnessed such laudable developmental projects at once, from its inception to date. Mr President, we appreciate all the good projects.”
On efforts by Borno government in the area of healthcare, the Governor explained in this year 2020 alone, his administration has started from scratch, 50 new health centers across various local governments in the state.
He added that many other health centers were rehabilitated and furnished with modern equipments.
Zulum also noted that Borno has approved the recruitment of more than 500 qualified doctors, nurses, other health workers and re-engage retired personnel, for deployment to healthcare centres where medical services are most needed by citizens.
The following are some of the participating dignitaries:
* Mr President- attended Virtually
* Babagana Umara Zulum – Gov Borno state
* Hon. Minister of Health- prof. Osagie Ehanire
* Hadi Ukashatu Gumel – Chairman Board of Management UMTH
* Prof Ahmed Ahidjo – Chief Medical Director UMTH
* Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed – Hon. Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning
* Alh. Dr. Abubakar IBN Umar Garbai Elkanemi – Shehu of Borno
* Mr. Eloi Fillion- Head of Delegation ICRC, Nigeria Office
* Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo W.H.O representative to Nigeria.
Some of the students interviewed revealed to the Periscope that the appointment of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo as Chief Medical Director is is blessing to UMTH.
“Prof. Ahidjo’s leadership efficiency attracts interventions, takes UMTH to the next amiable level,” they said.
Some of the Ongoing projects in the UMTH, the Periscope investigation can reveal include the following:
* Child Institute
* Kidney Center (Extension)
* Stroke Centre
* Second Hostel for School of Nursing
* Burns Centre
* Radiotherapy Centre