Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved N465 million and allocated land for the establishment of a National Orthopaedic Hospital in Azare, the headquarters of Hawul Local Government Area in southern Borno.
The hospital aims to address the critical need for specialized orthopaedic care in Nigeria’s northeast region.
Governor Zulum made the announcement on Thursday during a meeting with an accreditation team from the Federal Ministry of Health led by Dr. Jimoh O. Saludeen, the ministry’s Director of Hospital Services.
State Support for Federal Project
Zulum revealed that the state government would cede ownership of the General Hospital, Azare, to the federal government for the orthopaedic hospital project. He also approved funds to rehabilitate the facility, including staff quarters, as part of the preparations.
“We have the General Hospital, Azare, belonging to Borno State Government. We will move them to another location, and I have approved the sum of N465 million for the rehabilitation of the hospital,” Zulum said.
While the federal government will own and operate the facility, Zulum stressed that the hospital’s primary beneficiaries would be the people of Borno State. “If there is any need, the state government can support you in realizing the dream of establishing the national orthopaedic hospital,” he added.
Accreditation Team Commends Governor
Dr. Saludeen, speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, commended Governor Zulum’s leadership and support for the hospital project. He explained that their visit was to assess the proposed site, following the federal government’s approval to establish the facility.
The project was initiated after a bill sponsored by Dr. Haruna Mishelia, a former member of the House of Representatives for Askira/Hawul constituency, received presidential assent.
Delegates at the Meeting
The meeting was attended by prominent officials, including Midala Balami, the current representative of Askira/Hawul constituency, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and other senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Health.
State representatives included Bukar Tijani, Secretary to the Borno State Government, and Dr. Mairo Mandara, the governor’s Chief Adviser on Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response.
Addressing Northeast Healthcare Challenges
The National Orthopaedic Hospital, once established, will significantly enhance healthcare delivery in the region, providing specialized services for orthopaedic injuries and conditions. It marks another milestone in Zulum’s administration’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure in Borno State.