BSTH to take off with its own internally generated electricity supplies

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has stated that the Borno State Teaching Hospital (BSTH) will take off with its own five megawatts solar facility to ensure steady electricity supply.

This is deliberate to ensure that the facility does not rely on the comatose national grid supply in the state capital which has been destroyed by insurgents fighting a 15 year war in the north eastern States of the federation.

The BSTH will also not rely on diesel which is equally not readily available as prices have skyrocketed due to the fact that subsidies have been withdrawn on petroleum products in the country.

Zulum who visited the hospital yesterday also noted that when completed, the facility will significantly reduce medical tourism among indigenous residents of the state and the entire North East region of Nigeria.

Governor Zulum made this known during an inspection tour of the ongoing construction of the multi-billion naira facility located along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.

The 400 in patients bed Teaching Hospital, which has a proposal for 15 specialised departments, will equally serve as the focal training centre for medical students from the Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, while providing high-quality healthcare services to residents.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection of the structure, Governor Zulum emphasised the importance of the project in delivering affordable and efficient healthcare to the people of Borno State.

He said his government will replicate the concept of affordability as it exists in all health facilities in the state adding that nothing will be beyond the common residents when it comes to getting better while staying at home or as in patients instead of going to foreign countries.

“The reason we established this Teaching Hospital is to ensure quality and affordable healthcare delivery system for our people. S

“It will significantly reduce medical tourism, as many of our indigenes currently seek treatment in Cairo and other countries.

“We will equip the hospital with cutting-edge medical technology, qualified professionals, and a 5-mega watts solar power facility to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for the hospital and surrounding infrastructures.

“I believe that if we can have a befitting hospital with state-of-the-arts equipment, people will prefer to patronise the Teaching Hospital than to travel overseas to Cairo and India. I am ready to provide all what it takes to make this gigantic hospital a befitting one,” he added.

Governor Zulum hinted that the Teaching Hospital will generate over 1,000 skilled employment opportunities both within the medical and non medical sub sector upon completion.

“This hospital will provide job opportunities for no fewer than 1,000 qualified professionals. Currently, the construction phase alone is employing between 2,000 and 3,000 workers,” he noted with satisfaction.

During the inspection, the Governor was briefed by the Chief Medical Director, (CMD) Professor Ibrahim Kida, and the site engineer, Engr. Usman Tijjani.

He inspected sections of the proposed hospital, including medical and surgical wards, the General Outpatient Department (GOPD), accident and emergency (A and E) unit, physiotherapy and radiology departments, operating theatres, and the conference hall.

Governor Zulum assured residents that the hospital would be fully operational by the end of September 2025.

This is the first state owned teaching Hospital built in Borno since the creation of the state on the 3rd of February, 1976.

It already has a board chaired by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Professor Ahmad Ahidjo.

BSTH to take off with its own internally generated electricity supplies