By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has laid the foundation of the Teaching Hospital of Borno State School of Health Sciences at Njimtilo, near Maiduguri along Damaturu road.
The minister was in Maiduguri on Thursday, to commission projects at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH),as well as lay the foundation of the state teaching hospital.
GOVERNOR BABAGANA UMARA Zulum in his remarks, said “in fulfillment of the criteria for the establishment of medical colleges, we are here to witness the foundation laying ceremony for the two important projects.
“We want to start medical courses, especially medicine, in the State University so that we can produce healthcare providers and undertake research, as well as cater for the health needs of citizens.
“We know that there is increasing population in Maiduguri and we have only one teaching hospital, and Maiduguri has a population of over three million people.’’
According to him, a new teaching hospital will serve the increasing population, which is in line with the state’s development plan.
It could be recalled, “just five days ago, we launched our 25-year development plan, and the State University Teaching Hospital and the College of Medical Sciences are part of the plan.”
In his own remarks, the chairman committee for the establishment of the teaching hospital, Prof. Othman Kyari, said that the launch of the projects was the first phase with all the requirements of all the regulatory bodies (medicine and surgery, dentistry, radiology pharmacy, etc) were put into consideration and that by the time the complex is completed, it will probably be one of the best in the country.”
The commissioner Ministry for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Dr Babagana Malumbe, was on hand to welcome Gov. Zulum and the Health Minister Ehanire and entourage on arrival at the ground breaking ceremony.
