Bodunrin Kayode
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has donated N500m to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) as part of contributions towards the institution’s post flood recovery efforts.
The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital was one of the federal infrastructures damaged following the recent collapse of the Alau Dam in the state.
Presenting the donation during a recent to the hospital, Governor Zulum said that it was unfortunate that the flood had to cause so much destruction in the capital and the hospital was one of the infrastructures affected but assured that the incident will not deter him from ensuring that more funds are raised to assist the institution to return to its former footing of excellence.
The Governor who was in the company of the Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Pate to ascertain the extent of damage to equipment said that the facility was in his domain and he would do all he could to ensure it continues to take care of his people.
He noted that the growth and development of the health sector in the State cannot be over emphasized, assuring that the state government will continue to assist in whatever way it can to ensure that residents have access to its services.
“We are all affected by the flood. Indeed, the hospital belongs to the federal government but there is no distinction between the federal and state concerning this matter because the beneficiaries are the indigenous people of Borno state of which over 90 per cent use the facility.
“In addition to this, we shall partner together to seek more funding for the teaching Hospital to ensure it bounces back to its path of continuous progress.
“Indeed, we have never witnessed such phenomenal growth in the hospital before as we have been seeing since you came on board as a result, I want to commend the Chief Medical Director (CMD) for the consistent growth the hospital has been witnessing. However, you just have to be patient with the people and keep on the good work regardless of what happened.”
Governor Zulum stated that some of the machines were very sensitive, hence he understood why some sections of the hospital would have to remain closed until repairs are completed since a lot of repair work is needed to put the machines back to use.
The governor commended the Minister for the support he had given not only to Borno State but to the health sector in the northeast and the entire country.
Responding after touring the affected facilities, the Health Minister, Professor Mohammed Pate commended the Governor for the N500m towards rebuilding the hospital.
Prof. Pate described the donation as a significant contribution given the fact that the state capital was also underwater on the 10th of September causing a lot of losses to lives and properties.
While assuring that the ministry would prioritize the UMTH by working with the state government to get resources from anywhere to bring it back to its normal standard and commended the Chief Medical Director, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo and his team for their dedication to duty.
The Minister also promised that his ministry would do more to increase the tempo of development of the damaged facility.