Borno Gov Zulum commends UMTH’s strides in specialized healthcare delivery
By Mohammed kaka
The management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) have been commended by the Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum for its strides in specialised healthcare, especially regarding its recent successful kidney transplants.
Governor Zulum who was speaking at the 110th General Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, alongside the commissioning of the epoch-making projects at UMTH weekend, said information reaching him indicated that the hospital is doing very well in terms of care giving to patients.
“I was told both the patients and donors are doing very well. Indeed this is a landmark achievement and a great relieve to patients most importantly to those who cannot afford the cost of transplant,” Prof Zulum said.
The Borno state governor who announced a N1 billion financial support package for the UMTH to facilitate kidney transplants for underprivileged patients from the state, therefore, authorised an initial deposit of N250 million to cover transplants for 50 indigent patients.
Prof Zulum who disclosed that the remaining N750 million would be disbursed in three instalments, said “Borno state government will deposit the sum of N250 million to support kidney transplant of 50 patients. I am ready to contribute N1 billion as government’s contribution towards supporting the less privileged indigenes of the State”.
He announced the commitment of his administration towards supporting the initiative, adding that the state government is ready to provide all the partnership required to sustain the provision of kidney transplant to less privileged patients at UMTH.
The governor disclosed that ten new fully equipped ambulances would be deployed across health facilities by the week’s end to bolster the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
“As a Government, we pledge our full support for the sustenance and scale-up of the Maternal and Newborns Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative programme. We view it not as a standalone initiative, but as a critical complement to our broader health reform agenda,” he said.
The governor further expressed commitment to ensuring that Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative succeeds in providing comprehensive antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, skilled birth attendance, postnatal follow-up and routine immunisation to protect the children from preventable diseases.
Also speaking, the Honourable minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, commended the Governor Zulum for fostering collaboration between state and federal government to deliver equitable, affordable healthcare.
Earlier on, the Chief Medical Director, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo acknowledged appreciated the Borno government over the N500 million intervention it rendered following the 2024 floods.
He disclosed that the financial intervention really helped in restoring critical services such as the renovation of Trauma and Kidney Centres, procurement of medical consumables and the reactivation of oxygen plant.