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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday commissioned a series of new and improved health facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, describing the interventions as part of the most ambitious health infrastructure renovation program undertaken in the country in decades.
The projects, inaugurated as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, span primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions and include emergency medical response infrastructure, specialized hospitals, laboratories, rehabilitation centers and immunization facilities.
The national exercise also saw the deployment of the largest emergency medical transport fleet in Nigeria’s history.
Specialist hospital complex in Abuja
At the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, President Tinubu commissioned the newly completed Bola Tinubu Specialist Complex, a purpose-built facility to provide integrated, high-quality specialist healthcare services.
The two-storey complex comprises eight outpatient clinics, double theater suites, specialist ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) departments, a fully equipped laboratory, a pharmacy, nine VIP departments, four general departments and dedicated private clinics.
Health officials said the facility will significantly expand access to specialized healthcare services, while reducing pressure on existing hospital infrastructure.
Largest emergency ambulance deployment launched
The President also flagged off the emergency response fleet of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja.
The fleet consists of 79 new emergency ambulances intended for federal tertiary healthcare institutions, 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, as well as digital support equipment including 45 laptops, 20 printers and 320 mobile phones.
Emergency response resources will operate under the SAVEMAMA program, targeting maternal and newborn health services in rural, riverine and hard-to-reach communities across the country.
Officials described the initiative as a major boost to the provision of emergency health care and referral services nationwide.
Methane ambulances to cut costs, improve hospitalizations
In Lagos, President Tinubu launched a fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) powered ambulances for all 73 federal tertiary healthcare institutions.
The initiative, implemented under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and coordinated by NEMSAS, is expected to reduce operational costs associated with ambulance services while promoting cleaner use of energy.
Health authorities noted that ambulances would strengthen referral links between secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities and improve emergency response capabilities nationwide.
Polio emergency centers strengthened in the north-west
As part of efforts to improve disease surveillance and immunization programmes, the President commissioned the strengthening of Polio Emergency Operations Centers in Kano, Katsina and Sokoto states.
The centres, initially established in 2013 with support from the Gates Foundation and managed by eHealth Africa, have been renovated, expanded and equipped with modern facilities to support vaccination coordination and epidemic response activities.
The Kano center is located at the Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, while the Katsina and Sokoto centers are located within their respective state public health and state specialist hospital facilities.
New primary health centers opened
President Tinubu has also commissioned the new construction of the Gadon Kaya Primary Health Center in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State.
The facility was built under the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, a World Bank-backed initiative that has revitalized nearly 3,000 primary health centers across Nigeria over the past two years.
Similarly, the Aboh Primary Health Center was inaugurated in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State under the same programme.
Tertiary hospitals receive significant infrastructural upgrade
Three major tertiary healthcare projects were also commissioned during the nationwide exercise.
These include a new two-storey laboratory complex at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State, which houses 16 specialized laboratories, seminar rooms, a library, staff offices and meeting rooms.
At the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, the President virtually inaugurated a new administrative complex aimed at improving operational efficiency and service delivery.
In Kaduna State, a new pharmacy quality control laboratory at Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, has been tasked to strengthen quality assurance and regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical services.
The facility operates through specialized microbiology, chemistry and instrumentation units and is designed to meet international pharmaceutical standards.
A mental health center opens in Maiduguri
In the North East, President Tinubu commissioned a newly built mental health and drug rehabilitation center at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The 50-bed specialist facility is expected to provide comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services for patients battling mental health and substance abuse issues.
Stakeholders described the project as particularly significant given the psychological trauma and social unrest experienced in the region due to years of insurgency and conflict.
Lagos emerges as vaccination supply hub
The President also inaugurated the Lagos Immunization Supply Chain Hub, located at the Federal Medical Stores, Oshodi.
Built under the World Bank-supported IMPACT project, the facility is the first hub completed under Nigeria’s three-hub national immunization supply chain model.
The center is expected to serve both the South-West and South-South geopolitical zones, improving the storage, distribution and logistical management of vaccines.
“Nigerians deserve world-class healthcare”
Speaking during the virtual commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu said the projects demonstrate his administration’s determination to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system and improve access to quality medical services.
“We are determined to provide Nigerians with the kind of assistance that, for too long, only those who could travel abroad have enjoyed,” the president said.
He emphasized the need for a unified emergency healthcare system that can effectively respond to medical emergencies in urban and rural communities.
The President commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NEMSAS, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, development partners, state governments and Federal Teaching Hospitals for their contributions to the successful execution of the projects.
Nearly 3,000 primary health centers revitalized
According to data released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative has revitalized nearly 3,000 primary health centers nationwide over the past two years.
The ministry also revealed that 27 comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care centers have been established, while 1,602 level one and 1,360 level two health facilities have undergone rehabilitation across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Health sector observers say the investments represent one of the largest coordinated health infrastructure expansion efforts undertaken by any administration since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance.
