Tinubu Delivers 10 Cutting-Edge Medical Projects at Abuja Teaching Hospital

By Achimi Muktar

In a bold move to overhaul Nigeria’s crumbling health system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned 10 brand-new medical infrastructure projects at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada — a signal that his administration is not just making promises, but putting brick and mortar to policy.

Represented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, Tinubu declared the projects as a cornerstone of his broader plan to ensure accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for every Nigerian.

A Nationwide Overhaul Begins

“This is just one example,” Pate said. “Similar projects are ongoing across all federal tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.”

These upgrades — from state-of-the-art intensive care units to improved residential quarters for medical staff — are part of a sweeping reform launched within the past two years. The reform includes modern infrastructure, upgraded medical equipment, recruitment of skilled personnel, and systemic changes for more efficient healthcare delivery.

“It’s a long journey, but we are just beginning under this President,” the minister noted.

Cancer, Primary Health, and Insurance: A Triple Focus

Tinubu’s vision goes beyond bricks and beds. His administration is zeroing in on cancer treatment and primary healthcare delivery. Six major cancer projects are currently in the works — with three set to be unveiled next month, and the remaining three expected by Q3 this year.

On the grassroots front, primary healthcare is getting a facelift. Between January and March 2025, over 37 million Nigerians visited primary health centres supported by the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. Government-backed programmes have reimbursed more than 4,000 caesarean sections, and health insurance enrolment has surged — with 2.4 million more Nigerians now covered.

UATH at the Heart of the Revolution

The Chief Medical Director of UATH, Prof. Bissallah Ekele, praised the government’s proactive support, saying it has transformed both infrastructure and morale at the hospital.

“Our funding has increased, and proposals are being approved promptly. This has allowed us to acquire essential equipment for clinical services, teaching, and staff welfare,” he said.

UATH, beyond offering a range of medical specialties, also runs a unique remediation programme for foreign-trained doctors. In 2024 alone, 90 out of 94 participants passed the qualifying exams held in Ibadan.

The 10 Projects that Could Save Lives

Here’s a breakdown of the newly commissioned projects at UATH:

Renovation and furnishing of the male surgical ward

Renovation of a 34-bed male medical ward

Renovation of the family planning unit

Establishment of a 6-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Construction and furnishing of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) unit

A 50-room residential block for medical interns

A 50-room call duty block

Installation of a CT scan machine

Construction of a staff quarters block

Additional infrastructure and equipment upgrades

In addition, an MRI machine and a dedicated building have been approved, while Ekele made a passionate appeal for solar power infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted electricity at the facility.

Healthcare for All: A Dream Within Reach?

Dr. Ikechukwu Odikpo, Board Chairman of UATH, expressed optimism that with continued government backing, affordable and quality healthcare will soon become the norm, not the exception, for millions of Nigerians.

As Tinubu's administration pushes forward with its ambitious health reforms, the question now is not whether change is happening — but whether it can be sustained and scaled across the nation.

If these 10 projects are any indication, the race to revive Nigeria’s health sector has already left the starting blocks.