………………Calls for more Federal Medical Centers in Borno.
FIC Report (Borno State) – Borno State Governor, professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the federal government to establish additional medical centres in the state to tackle emerging health challenges resulting from over a decade of insurgency.
Governor Zulum made the appeal during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cede the General Hospital Azare to the National Orthopedic Hospital in Abuja.
Zuhad last year during a visit by Director Hospital Services of the Federal Ministry of Health announced the Ceding of General hospital Azare for the establishment of the orthopedic hospital and over 400 million naira for the rehabilitation of the facility.
Governor Zulum commended the Federal Government for establishing the orthopedic hospital nothing that it would significantly improve healthcare access for residents.
Our people often travel to Kano for orthopedic treatment, but with this hospital, they will now have access to affordable and specialised care,” he stated.
The Governor emphasised the need for more medical facilities in Borno, given the lingering effects of insurgency.
“We still have cases of insurgency ongoing in the state; however the matter is critically being looked into. Due to the conflict, we are having many health challenges, so the need to establish more medical health centres in Borno State need not to be overemphasised,” he stressed.
Governor Zulum further revealed that Borno remains the only state in Nigeria without a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) and announced plans his administration to construct a state – of- the – art hospital for eventual takeover by the Federal Government.
“Federal Medical Centres are vital to the sub- national level, particularly in a state like Borno which is recovering from prolonged insecurity. If we can secure five more hospitals, I assure you that we will provide all necessary facilities for their immediate operation,” he pledged.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of National Orthopedic Hospital Azare.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Solako, described Governor Zulum as “Nigeria’s foremost health – friendly governor ‘ in recognition of his transformative investments in the sector.
He announced that the Federal Government has created additional 12 new tertiary health institutions across the country in the last two years including national Orthopedic Hospital, Azare.
“I consider you as the foremost health friendly governor in the country. That was affirmed when you hosted the 65th National Council on Health where you announced the increment in Salary of medical doctors to match what the federal government is paying, in addition to other transformation you have embarked on in the health sector,” Solako, remarked.
Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Health, professor Baba Malam Gana, Finance, Alhaji Umar Lawan Dalorima, representative of the state Attorney General, Chief Adviser and coordinator for Sustainable Development, partnership and Humanitarian, and the Chairman Borno State Social Investment Agency, Honourable Yuguda Saleh Vungas.
Signed
B. A. Abdulsalam
HOC, FIC Maiduguri
20th May 2025.
