Health
Special Report: A peep into Ahidjo’s many dreams and visions of making the UMTH biggest hospital in Nigeria (1)
Special Report: A peep into Ahidjo’s many dreams and visions of making the UMTH biggest hospital in Nigeria (1)
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Everyone has a right to dream. So if the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s long-term dream is to turn the hospital into a first-class institution with the largest number of bed spaces in a country where little regard is given to the health sector, then a large chunk of his dreams have come to fruition. And this, many observers make bold to say, concerns the ongoing rehabilitation of dilapidated structures and the building of new ones going on in the community.
Equally, former visitors to the previous massive single German replicated building facility would now actually say, Thank God the hospital has been transformed into the reality of this century. The entire world has been driven by dreams, so why not the managers of the health sector in Nigeria? This is because dreams rule the world of progress today. Without dreams, there would be no progress in the politics of those who refer to themselves as developed. Without dreams, life in the third world will be worse than oblivious. Robert Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Walt Disney, Harriet Tubman, Mohamed Ali, Mike Tyson, John Lennon, Ralph Emerson, Martin Luther King, and Mohandas Gandhi were all dreamers at one time or another of their lives before achieving anything admirers call meaningful today.
When the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. made his dream speech during the march on Washington for jobs and freedom in August 1963, he never lived to see his dream come to fruition. Those who felt ‘rights activist’ King was too ambitious had to sniff life out of him because he was “going too far,” according to sources, and if care is not taken, the Baptist minister’s “dream” may come true too soon. If it does, like that of Joseph in the Bible, how will the haters respect a black man like Barack Obama who made it to the White House? To his killers, change from institutionalized servitude to freedom is not an option in this life. It took one bold, proactive man like King to even dream about the foundation of change in that society, and it’s beginning to materialize. Change is the most permanent phenomenon in all spheres of life, even here in Nigeria. And it is one of the phenomenal reasons for the very existence of Professor Ahmed Ahijo, who is almost spiritually tied to the hospital, as he confessed during the 40 years celebration.
This is why lots of dignitaries gathered recently at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) to see the “changes” brought about by the present management team led by Professor Ahmed Ahidjo for themselves and to celebrate the landmarks of achievements planted in the facility.
Transition from the one-building complex system to institutes, complexes, and centers equipped for the next 40 years of service
Indeed, there is no harm in dreaming; it is dreams that give rise to visions. If the old men will dream and the young men will see visions, God himself will be glorified, and humanity will be better for it, as is the case with the UMTH, which is now spiced with several new structures to enhance efficiency in the treatment of patients in north-east Nigeria and beyond.
It has taken the proactive nature of an alumni turned CMD, Prof. Ahidjo, to design and start new structures in the facility to create space for desperately needed expansion. This is because he saw it all from the beginning, when the foundations of the departments were being hatched, and to this day, the “institute, center, and complex system” is now a reality. No wonder we have a “150-bed trauma center” completed by his dexterity. The 1000-seat auditorium and conference center built by Professor Babagana Zulum, the new GOPD/NHIS/Retainership complex, the “Physical Rehabilitation Centre,” built in collaboration with the Red Cross, the “Burns Centre,” built and donated to the UMTH by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), the “85-bed Kidney Centre” the “Radiotherapy and Cancer Centre,” the “150-bed Zainab Shamsuna Child and Adolescent Institute,” and many others.
READ ALSO:https://newsng.ng/police-witness-tells-iip-sars-how-peter-ekwealor-slumped-after-allegedly-confessing-to-killing-asp-akoh-ude/
Professor Ahidjo is a visionary who has spent so much time transforming some of his dreams into fruition that even those who never thought anything good could come out of this facility are astonished at the speed with which he converts his dreams to reality. Impeccable sources told this reporter that the CMD is so dogged that even when everyone in the finance department knows that there is no money for another new dream, the CMD goes on to utilize his political goodwill in high places to get what he wants done, as it was in the completion of the notorious trauma center. The trauma center became “notorious” because it took several years after its pronouncements by the same federal government before it came to fruition.This facility is the major tertiary hospital in Borno, and there was a need to hurry up to get it done because so many people were losing their lives to dastardly improvised explosive device (IED) explosions from suicide bombers with no trauma center to take them in. While the orthopedic ward was jam-packed to the brim with both military and civil patients,
As a matter of fact, in one of my casual strolls around the facility towards the Old GOPD point during those desperate years of Professor Bashir Tahir’s reign as Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), I found out that some patients had to be given makeshift foams on the floor while their treatment started before they were transferred to the orthopedic center, where Dr. Dapkana and his team would fix them up. Happily enough, the CMAC himself will not move an inch during his ward rounds if the nurses do not get a space to fix up such squatting patients. There was a desperate need for more bed spaces and a trauma center where such patients could enter the theater almost immediately after certain protocols had been established. I became so worried about the Abuja politics and the delay in the delivery of the project that I had to ask the minister, Professor Adewole, during one of his visits to the state to see things for himself and end up in the government house when he was going to give the hospital its trauma facility. From the reaction on his face, he was obviously miffed at my question and looked at Professor Bashir with a strong inquiry: Who is this one? Then CMAC smiled and said, He is a journalist and one of our friends. I am sure my question left a strong impression on him before he left in 2019.
All said and done, the media he seemingly despised so much made all the noise about the trauma center for several years, but nothing happened until Ahidjo came with his political dexterity and the building was delivered on a platter of gold and commissioned by President Mohammed Buhari in 2020. The CMD, however, told me exclusively about some of his moves, which included shattering some red tape to ensure that humanity does not continue to suffer in this part of the country. Professor Ahmed Ahidjo is really a genius like most lefties of his generation, and his political dexterity while understanding the laws of the power game of those people upstairs in the supervising ministry of health is a case study for the future.
Special Report: A peep into Ahidjo’s many dreams and visions of making the UMTH biggest hospital in Nigeria (1)
We have the best Opthalmology department in the North East of Nigeria –Prof. Tahir
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Medical Director of the ultra modern Police Hospital Damaturu Prof Bashir Tahir has said that his facility has one of the best Ophthalmology departments in North East Nigeria.
He made this declaration while speaking with this reporter in Damaturu recently.
Professor Tahir stated that having met the facility in a near comatose state, he and his team have been able to create a department of Opthalmology plus six others and set it on a very high standard ready to serve the people in the catchment area.
Tahir who spoke through his Director of Administration Mallam Hamza Saleh stated that “Our Opthalmology dept is one of the best in the North East of Nigeria and you can get a recommended glasses within an hour because of the state of arts machines in that very department in the hospital.”
Speaking on the current expansion going on in the facility the MD stated that “We have ENT and consultants coming from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital UMTH alternatively during the week to do routine consultations, ward rounds and even operations in the theatre.
“We recently spent about N10m to buy equipments in the ENT and we do hope that all the equipments will be available before the end of the year.
On the revitalization of the facility, he went on: “We actually met the three theatres in bad shape but we have been able to put them into functional use by restructuring them accordingly. For now all three are functioning including the O and G theatre where routine operations have been conducted.
“When we came on board also the hospital was not departmentalized. So we did that and opened the way for more doctors to come by creating these seven departments for them to work in an organized way.
“All the departments are functional with seven consultants who man these departments to the satisfaction of all the patients who visit the facility.
This new facility can also boast of two Eye Nose and Throat surgeons and others as the support staff to support the facility.
“We have about 100 nurses with one that is a police officer. We also have some of them with specialized techniques and that has contributed to the progress of the place.
On medical lab scientists, the MD posited that they now have six lab scientists in different areas, two pharmacists and a couple of technicians that assist them on the ground on a daily basis.
They have a solid Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with a pharmacy company in the supply of drugs which is used to stabilize the availability of drugs in the hospital.
On supply of drugs, he noted that they make sure that people served well and patient are the priority of anything that happens in the facility adding that they now have satellite pharmacies in the facility to ensure quality time is not wasted.
The MD said that it was part of their plan to get most of the major equipments before any fresh employment of any professional commences so that all hands will be on deck to ensure the best.
We have the best Opthalmology department in the North East of Nigeria –Prof. Tahir
UMTH: Interventional Radiology Centre, a High-tech Medical Solution.
By: Balami Lazarus
After the devastating flood of September 2024, UMTH counted so many losses that ran into billions of naira. Little did the public expect too soon that another gigantic medical center that is not found in other hospitals in Nigeria, but only in Maiduguri, situated and being at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital-Borno State.
The IR Centre, or Interventional Radiology Centre, in the words of the Director of the Centre, Dr. Mohammed Lawan, is a hospital within a hospital, describing the massive building equipped with the latest medical equipment as a center for carrying out radiology services, for training, and for research purposes.
The Chief Medical Director, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, Midas touch has produced and added medical value to nourish the healthcare delivery services through the new Interventional Radiology Center (IRC). “This center is another medical solution to interventional radiology treatments…. We are proud to have this as a medical facility”.
What is interventional radiology? According to Dr. Mohammed Lawan, who spoke to NEWSng. Interventional Radiology It is a medical specialty that performs various minimally invasive procedures and techniques to treat many medical conditions that once required open surgery. The use of medical imaging guidance through sophisticated and high-tech medical equipment like x-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc., are some major working medical gadgets to qualify interventional radiology. Therefore, the center is meant to offer specialized medical surgery/treatment and healthcare delivery services to patients at UMTH through interventional radiology surgery.
READ ALSO:https://newsng.ng/hmpom-2022-grand-celebration-for-her-members/
In furtherance of NEWSng findings, a walk into the center opens up to so many clinics and equipment that draw attention. The center is an imposing building beautifully designed with offices equipped with furniture, medical equipment, and materials of high quality. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and other working tools are used to give it a full certification to be known, called, and addressed as the Interventional Radiology Center of standard offering international best practices.
Prof. Ahidjo told NEWSng that “we are the only ones that see the inside at all times when and where there are medical radiology cases. He further said that the center will also serve as a reference point for radiologists, consultants, doctors, and medical students. “The Interventional Radiology Center is meant to make a difference in providing quality healthcare services in medicine. IRC is my new baby”. e center has male and female wards with what it takes to have in a specialized sentence like IRC of UMTH. To make it easy for those with mobility challenges, the building is designed to ease their movement within the facility. The reception area and the patient’s waiting room, as well as the recovery room, are of worth according to standards obtainable in any medical center or hospital.
When NEWng entered into the building, Dr. Mohammed Lawan was already attending to patients, and this afforded our special team to see things firsthand. This concludes that with the emergence of IRC, UMTH has finally revealed the true medical specialty of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo to so many people out there who see him like any other professor of medicine. The CMD and/or hospital administrator. “Prof. Ahidjo is a surgeon consultant and interventional radiologist, one of the best brains in this particular field of medicine, within and without,” said one radiologist.
UMTH: Interventional Radiology Centre, a High-tech Medical Solution.
Why UMTH is Nigeria’s leading healthcare institution.
By: Dr. James Bwala
UMTH’s medical professionals and medical breakthroughs in Nigeria Medical institutions around the country should continue to prioritize infrastructure development. UMTH’s commitment to staff training and development was critical to its growth. The hospital invested heavily in ongoing professional development programs, ensuring that its medical staff were not only well-versed in the most recent information and skills used by the hospital, but also had the opportunity to show them. UMTH’s initiatives ensured that its healthcare professionals stayed at the cutting edge of medical advances and practices.
Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s creative leadership has helped the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) become a renowned healthcare institution in Nigeria. Over the last 40 years, UMTH has experienced substantial modernization and expansion, transitioning from a single-building complex to a multi-institutional system. This expansion included the construction of important facilities such as a 150-bed trauma center and a 1,000-seat theater, which greatly improved the hospital’s ability to provide outstanding medical services. By deliberately extending its facilities, UMTH has established itself as a key healthcare provider not only in northeastern Nigeria but throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, the hospital’s expansion reflects broader trends in Nigerian healthcare systems, which attempt to improve service delivery in the face of numerous problems. While many tertiary hospitals confront challenges such as insufficient medical equipment and staff training, UMTH’s proactive approach has enabled it to successfully manage these difficulties. As it continues to adapt and innovate in the healthcare industry, UMTH demonstrates how strategic planning may result in significant improvements in patient care.
Under Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s guidance, UMTH developed its physical infrastructure while also investing in innovative medical technologies and thorough staff training programs to improve service delivery. This strategy not only increased the hospital’s operational efficiency, but it also drew a cadre of highly competent medical staff committed to sustaining high standards of care.
READ ALSO:https://newsng.ng/kashim-shettima-of-sentiments-their-opinions-and-the-21-billion-naira-vps-official-resident/
These strategic developments, together with a dedication to excellence, have established UMTH as a leader in healthcare innovation and quality in the Northeast. Furthermore, the creation of specialist centers, including the 150-bed trauma center and renovated auxiliary facilities, has substantially improved UMTH’s ability to handle difficult medical cases, confirming its image as Nigeria’s preeminent healthcare institution. Furthermore, the hospital’s dedication to research and partnership with international medical institutes has created a culture of continual learning and innovation.
UMTH’s dedication to both patient care and academic quality has established a standard for other institutions in the region, maintaining its position as a healthcare leader. Under the innovative leadership of Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, UMTH has increased its facilities and services, most notably with the installation of a Child Institute, Cancer Centre, Burns Centre, a 150-bed trauma center, and a 1000-seat auditorium, amongst others, which have been important in improving its capacity to deliver.
Strategic connections with international institutions have not only fostered information exchange but also brought cutting-edge medical technology to the hospital’s doorstep. This technological breakthrough has not only increased diagnosis and treatment capacities but has also established UMTH as a top choice for medical education and research. Leveraging these improvements, UMTH has also prioritized healthcare professional training, ensuring that both current and new hires are skilled in using cutting-edge technology to offer excellent patient care.
The emphasis on continuing professional development has kept UMTH’s healthcare professionals at the forefront of medical developments, ensuring high levels of patient care and safety. Furthermore, the hospital’s concentration on research and development has resulted in ground-breaking studies that have greatly advanced medical knowledge, cementing its position as Nigeria’s preeminent healthcare facility.
This dedication to quality is also evident in the hospital’s patient satisfaction rates, which have regularly exceeded national averages, demonstrating the efficacy of its comprehensive approach to treatment. UMTH’s ability to provide great healthcare is enhanced by its strong infrastructure and an innovative culture that pervades all aspects of its operations.
Dr. James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.
Why UMTH is Nigeria’s leading healthcare institution.
FG, IOM Tackle Irregular Migration with Revised 2024 Policy
FG Promises to Secure Abuja from Environment, Climate Disasters
FG Declares 1st May, Public Holiday
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics8 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
