President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the immediate enhancement of 16 health facilities across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
In a directive issued, Tinubu emphasized the urgent need to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment of these institutions to enhance healthcare delivery nationwide.
Among the institutions earmarked for upgrade are the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Surulere and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Zaria.
Specifically, six teaching hospitals are slated for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centers each, with a commitment to complete these projects within 12 to 18 months.
The modernization efforts align with Tinubu’s vision to revamp the health and social welfare sector, ensuring that top-notch cancer diagnosis and care are accessible to all Nigerians, according to a statement by the Presidency signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Apart from LUTH and ABUTH, other teaching hospitals include the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (Edo State), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (Enugu State), Federal Teaching Hospital (Katsina), and University of Jos Teaching Hospital (Plateau State).
Furthermore, critical healthcare service expansion projects are planned across various fields, including radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterization, in 10 hospitals spanning all geopolitical zones.
The selected hospitals include Reference Hospital in Kaduna (North-West), Medical Diagnostic Centre Complex in Enugu (South-East), Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto (North-West), University College Hospital in Ibadan (South-West), and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Uyo (South-South), among others.
Ngelale revealed that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, will oversee the comprehensive upgrade of cancer treatment infrastructure and other essential developments.
These initiatives, expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months, aim to enhance disease screening and diagnostics, reduce mortality rates, and improve healthcare outcomes nationwide. Additionally, they are anticipated to generate significant employment opportunities and enhance the capacity of clinical personnel across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
