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Special Report: A peep into Ahidjo’s many dreams and visions of making the UMTH biggest hospital in Nigeria (2)

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2 years ago

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Special Report: A peep into Ahidjo’s many dreams and visions of making the UMTH biggest hospital in Nigeria (2)

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The recent celebration, however, of forty years of the UMTH by Professor Ahidjo and his team was a clear indicator that the facility has come of age and there is a need to begin to plan for the next 40 years. And this must be done by facing obvious embarrassing challenges like hiccups in the electricity supply and the rest. I mean taking each one as it comes. Life in his own specialty, which is interventional radiology, would be miserable without steady electricity and computerization of the entire facility if he finishes his second term. Imagine going back to his office after his second term and having to open the windows for fresh air if the cooling facilities are not working. That is why he is working double hard now to fix the fixable.

After the on-going new structures and electricity supply, the right equipment to last for at least the next decade and up-to-date professionals by way of training and retraining is very paramount.
40 years have passed, and the UMTH is still standing. Serving humanity was pronounced on the day of its ceremonial opening by the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari on July 23, 1983. So many waters have literally passed under the bridge, and so many professionals have passed through the narrow corridors of the hospital and retired. My mind goes to the American-trained Professor Emeritus Babatunji Omotara, who is the father of environmental epidemiology. Many have also left since the insurgency started in 2009, while many others have stayed back.

From the day the government started building a specialist hospital on the site until the day the federal government took over and completed it as a one-stop-shop teaching hospital, it has been of the highest standards expected in a third-world country. The first patient was really admitted on February 18, 1982. Although so much still needs to be done to ensure that the level of dilapidation over the years is reduced to a tolerable level, much is also expected from management about the training of certain scarce personnel as soon as all the structures are completed.

Cancer Centre

Just before Professor Mala Sandabe took over as the CMAC, I had hinted to then-CMAC Professor Bashir on the medical records people relationship with sick patients and thereby redirecting the standards of the hospital. He took note to do something about it, and he really did start by making so many moves to correct the wrongs.
I went on another day this time as a patient for treatment, and I saw the way one of the medical records people was speaking to a pregnant woman upstairs at the Obstetrics and Gynecology (O and G) department. I felt really sad that the medical records staff was doing it as if it were her right to speak as such before patients would conform to her directives, even if she was as illiterate as they always presume. This was because she was obviously untrained, and her manners were normal in a hospital, which should compete with a library for silence. How do you ask a pregnant woman in her third trimester if you were responsible for her pregnancy? Who makes such unguarded statements in a hospital? I ended up in the office of Prof. Sandabe and told him the exact location of where I saw the wrongdoing, and he promised to correct it, and this too was done.

Apart from some of these expected excesses, the hospital has been absorbing so many categories of patients, ranging from cases that should have gone to the primary and secondary hospitals before referrals. But I don’t blame them. Hospitals like Umaru Shehu, where Governor Babagana Zulum has done so much to lift the standard, were before now contributing factors for UMTH to admit patients that should have gone through the primary and secondary hospital before referrals. ‘That is why everyone goes to TH’, as the facility is referred to in Maiduguri. Yet they still tug on like the giants they are in the region, even finding time for certain forms of research, as was mentioned by the CMD during the news conference to herald the flag-off of activities to mark 40 years. Right now, they are looking into the prevalence of kidney challenges in Borno as a whole. And we expect the result to be out very soon.

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/police-witness-tells-iip-sars-how-peter-ekwealor-slumped-after-allegedly-confessing-to-killing-asp-akoh-ude/

Before The unbundling of the single-stop hospital structure.

A lot of history has been recorded during the first tenure of the CMD, but I paid special attention to the old structure built by the COSTAIN construction company, where the late Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu occupies the second floor like the colossus that he is. He was not my focus when Prof. Ahidjo took over the management of the facility. I actually wanted to see Professor Babatunji Omotara, who is now retired after 40 years of training medical practitioners. So I climbed up the two-story building, sat in his old, moderate office, and we had our first chat on cholera. He responded briskly because the disease was killing lots of people at the Muna garage axis of Maiduguri, and I needed to add the perception of community medicine in my report to sound more professional with my sources. He stood up and asked me to please allow him a minute to ease himself, then returned to our discussion on how to stem the tide of the spread of cholera, which had gone out of hand and was killing people daily.

I expected him to use a private facility just within his office to suit his status as a professor. But he took a bunch of keys and headed to a shared facility outside his office. That, to me, was strange and needed correction. It occurred to me that something really had to be done to make these academics a bit more comfortable than some of them are now. A senior professor of such high status must have his own convenience and kitchenette so that he can function very well without too many distractions. It should not be optional in case he did not demand it. Returning downstairs, I discovered the building was leaking due to heavy rains. It leaked on the ground floor, which used to house the CMD’s before now. Sources allege that the leakage was from a tank upstairs instead. Whatever it was needed correction.

The newly promoted consultants without offices walked on the water into their MDCAN office to hang out while waiting for their calls. It’s obviously an old building, even though it has not yet expired, based on my findings at the works department. But something had to be done to correct so much wear and tear that had occurred over the years because it would surely become obsolete one day and expire. That is when such buildings should be pulled down due to old age if known contemporary technology must be applied. But to preempt that time, one could understand that the CMD, who was born into a family whose father was a builder in Maiduguri, can easily see through these weak structures and is creating a plan B for almost all of them before they hit about 100 years and expire and must go one day.

Many other problems need attention in the hospital. Problems like finance have bedeviled the facility and forced the CMD to begin to hunt for plan B’s and C’s to keep the hospital community going. He actually stressed the issue of finance as a major problem affecting the management of the hospital during a news conference to announce the flag-off of activities for 40 years of the hospital. To Ahidjo, “if finance is settled, we would have cash to do a lot of things, including lighting up the new facilities scattered around the compound.”

Perhaps due to serial disappointments from the Yola electricity company, the CMD has gone beyond the level of complete reliance on diesel for the generation of electricity. Most of the facility has backup electricity due to solar panel supplies, which are relatively cheap due to the abundant sun in the savanna. Whatever foundation was set by the first indigenous CMD, Prof. Suleiman Lagundoye, in 1984–85 needs a lot of fine tuning by the first CMD to think of a futuristic plan to absorb the endless expansion brought about by modern medicine. These new structures have increased the beds in the facility beyond imagination, making it the largest hospital in the country today by way of capacity to admit and treat.

READ ALSO:https://newsng.ng/the-plight-of-farida/


For the record, the 40-year celebration proper

The celebration proper was quite elaborate. It was handled by a committee that was chaired by Professor Shehu Liberty of the Department of Public Administration, with members like Professor Danjuma Gambo of the Mass Communications Department of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).


It started with Friday prayers on the 14th of July and extended to Sunday, July 23rd. A special church program was held on Sunday, July 16th, followed by a press conference held in the conference room of the hospital administration block the following day. Other highlights of the celebration included a walk around the giant old hospital structure led by the CMD and management team and several union leaders, including the association of resident doctors, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), consultants and their MDCAN colleagues, the nurses, who are the largest union on the ground, and some of the gentlemen of the media. Touching on social responsibilities, a medical and surgical outreach was held in Kaleri and Gwange wards in the city of Maiduguri and a surgical outreach at the new trauma center of the hospital.

There was also a day for career guidance at the Zulum auditorium and conference center for young people. That was followed by two public lectures in the same hall. Former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, and former CMD Professor Idris Mohammed gave the anniversary lectures. Wabba wanted unity among all the players in the sector in a long lecture, but that is for another day.

They also had the commissioning of the child and adolescent center and the foundation-laying ceremony of some legacy projects by vice president Kashim Shettima. This was followed by a dinner and award night at the multipurpose hall of the government house in Maiduguri. Several individuals were given special prices for their contributions to making the facility stand to this day, in spite of the lingering torment of the insurgent Boko Haram in their backyard. I would have written a book if I continued the sequence seen over the last four years in this facility. But not to bore my readers, I will be running the highlights of the lectures separately at the fullness of time. Those treaties released by the two lecturers really need special handling, especially that of Comrade Wabba, who called for unity among warring professionals within the health sector.

Special Report: A peep into Ahidjo’s many dreams and visions of making the UMTH biggest hospital in Nigeria (2)

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UMTH wins the 2025 Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year Award. 

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2 days ago

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June 28, 2025

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UMTH wins the 2025 Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year Award. 

UMTH wins the 2025 Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year Award. 

By: Dr. James Bwala

The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has once again demonstrated exceptional commitment to healthcare excellence by winning the 2025 Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year Award for the second time. This accolade underscores UMTH’s sustained efforts in providing high-quality medical services, advancing clinical research, and fostering an environment conducive to both patient care and academic development. Such recognition not only highlights the institution’s leadership within Nigeria’s healthcare sector but also reflects its pivotal role in addressing complex health challenges in the region.

This is a big congratulations to the CMD, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, and his management team for another historic achievement. Winning this award consecutively signifies UMTH’s ability to maintain superior standards amidst evolving healthcare demands. The hospital’s integration of innovative treatment protocols and community-oriented outreach programs exemplifies best practices that contribute significantly to public health outcomes. As a teaching hospital, UMTH also plays a critical role in training future healthcare professionals, thereby ensuring a continuous supply of skilled practitioners dedicated to improving national health indices.

UMTH’s consecutive recognition as the top public tertiary healthcare facility reaffirms its status as a beacon of medical excellence and educational prowess in Nigeria. Maintaining such standards is essential for driving progress within the country’s healthcare infrastructure and enhancing patient care quality on a broader scale. UMTH’s strategic partnerships with global health organizations have facilitated the exchange of knowledge and resources, further enhancing its capacity to deliver cutting-edge healthcare solutions. This collaborative approach not only strengthens UMTH’s operational capabilities but also positions it as a model for other institutions aiming to elevate healthcare standards across the continent. 

The hospital’s commitment to research and development has led to groundbreaking advancements in medical science, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in healthcare innovation and education. In addition, UMTH’s emphasis on patient-centered care has fostered an environment where individuals feel valued and heard. This patient-centered approach, combined with their ongoing commitment to excellence, underscores UMTH’s role as a pivotal institution in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Africa. 

The hospital’s investment in state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure has also played a vital role in its ability to provide high-quality care and respond effectively to the evolving needs of the community. This dedication to leveraging advanced medical technologies and maintaining a patient-first philosophy has undoubtedly contributed to UMTH’s recognition at the national level, securing its place as a beacon of excellence in the healthcare sector. 

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/the-plight-of-farida/

Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, the CMD, has printed his foot on the sand of history as UMTH’s success story. This success story serves as a testament to the power of strategic vision and dedicated leadership in transforming healthcare services for better societal impact. This achievement not only highlights the hospital’s ongoing pursuit of healthcare excellence but also serves as an inspiring model for other institutions aiming to elevate their standards of care and operational efficiency. 

The award not only acknowledges the exceptional service delivery and innovative practices at UMTH but also underscores the hospital’s role in setting a benchmark for healthcare quality and patient satisfaction across Nigeria. This recognition is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to continuous improvement and its ability to adapt to the evolving challenges in the healthcare sector. This accolade not only highlights their exceptional service delivery but also reinforces their position as a leader in medical innovation and education within the region. 

This commendation reflects UMTH’s unwavering dedication to nurturing future healthcare leaders through robust educational programs and cutting-edge research initiatives. UMTH’s dedication to fostering an environment of continuous learning and adaptation has enabled it to remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation. The recognition further solidifies UMTH’s reputation as a pillar of healthcare excellence. The hospital’s strategic focus on integrating advanced technology with patient-centered care has been pivotal in achieving these remarkable milestones. 

UMTH’s proactive approach in collaborating with international health organizations has also played a significant role in enhancing its service delivery and research capabilities. This collaborative effort not only enhances their clinical practices but also ensures that the hospital remains at the cutting edge of medical advancements and global health standards. This recognition is not only a testament to UMTH’s achievements but also a motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in public healthcare. 

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

UMTH wins the 2025 Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year Award. 

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UMTH conducts successful kidney transplant 15 years after

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6 days ago

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June 24, 2025

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UMTH conducts successful kidney transplant 15 years after

….CMD calls for philanthropic support to enable the hospital save more lives from CKD

By: Sam Kayode

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has called on well-meaning individuals to sponsor kidney transplant against chronic kidney diseases (CKD)in the institution.

Professor Ahidjo made the appeal recently in a news conference in Maiduguri while announcing the successful transplant of kidneys to two patients in the hospital.

Speaking during the occasion at the UMTH Conference Hall, CMD, Professor Ahidjo, described the procedure as a landmark success attributable to the hospital’s preparedness, the support of management and the goodwill of an anonymous philanthropist who paid for the consumables.

He said that since kidney failure has become a serious challenge in the north east of Nigeria especially Borno, it is high time well meaning individuals who share in our common humanity support more transplants by bringing in their resources to bear so that more victims of CKD can continue to enjoy prolonged life from available transplants.

Ahidjo hinted that five million naira was paid by an anonymous donor for each of the patients who got a new kidney in the recent operation and that to him is his expectations towards this challenge because a transplant ordinarily costs about N13.5m to execute successfully in contemporary Nigeria.

The CMD noted that kidney challenges will no longer be a death sentence if there is a pool of consumables to support each operation which would be done virtually free by the UMTH medical team as a way of lessening the prevalence burden in the state.

Responding to questions by reporters the CMD added that the hospital is ready to conduct free operations for the next 20 patients who desire new kidneys adding that the only challenge for such operations is ‘consumables” but once that is on ground the rest would be history.

” As an institution, we are ready for the next 20 patients because we are footing the bill of all the technical details but the consumables are quite expensive. This is why I am appealing for sponsorship of more patients at least to the level of being stabilized because the bulk of the charges we make are for the consumables and these are subject to a revolving fund to ensure that others on the waiting list get the same quality service.

” Donors should come out and support this cause as quickly as possible because so many patients have end stage kidney problems but they do not have the resources to get the care they need. And this is why we need the support of fellow Nigerians out there to keep them alive.” Said the CMD.

The UMTH he maintained has successfully reinforced its reputation by conducting the cheapest kidney transplants after 15 years indicative of the fact that it is now the leading renal treatment center in Nigeria today.

Roll call of successful transplant

Several specialists involved in the operation led by neurologist Dr. Hassan Gogo and the surgical team carried out the transplants and they include, Professors Umate, the lead Nephrologist, Sani Alhassan a Surgeon, lbrahim Gaidam, Fela Usman, and Dr Hassan Digo all of them Urologists.

Team of Anesthetics include: Ahmed Alhaji, Doctors’ kullma Zakana, Hadiza Bako, Bukar Ahmad, Aisami mustapha, Buhani Ghidie and Atiku.

Nephrology Nurses include, Yagana kingi, Maryam Alhassan, Babagana Gubio, Yagana Mohammed and Abubakar.

Perioperative nurses present in the operation were, Babagana Korede, Kamsulum Umate, Christiana Michael, Kolo Bulama, Bola Ayeni, Amina Tamus and Zainab Mohammed.

Technicians include: Abubakar Umar, Shettima Maryam and Abdullahi lawan while two porters Aisha Idi and Fah ibrahiin were among the team that
conducted the Surgery

Professor Mohammed Gadam, Dr. Ahmed Head of the Anaesthesia Unit Dr. Zanna, and Professor Sani Alhaji Hassan. Prof Haruna Ngaddah Consultant Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine was the Lab team lead.

“This is not the first time UMTH has performed a kidney transplant. Our first was in August 2010. So you can see that with improved capacity and technology, we’ve resumed the procedures in full and ready to do many more,” said Prof. Ahidjo.

UMTH kidney centre

Ahidjo an interventional radiologist hinted that the UMTH hosts the largest kidney centre in Nigeria, with an 85 bed capacity and four operating theatres equipped with advanced surgical equipment like endoscopic cameras, and modern lighting systems.

Narrating further the latest developments in the kidney centre, Prof Ahidjo, stated that the hospital now has over 20 functional dialysis machines and an “independent renal laboratory centre” making it easy for patients to have what they need as at when due and reducing the burden of red tape of the main hospital laboratory.

He commended the Federal Government for subsidizing kidney dialysis, adding that UMTH now offers dialysis for just twelve thousand Naira per session roughly eight United States dollars making it one of the cheapest rate in the country.

“In Nigeria and other parts of the world, dialysis cost as much as $1,000 per session but the support we receive makes this possible as we meet the needs of the people of the sub region.

“The cost of the service doesn’t even cover maintenance of the machines, but we are determined to keep our services accessible to the public,” he said.

The CMD commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for initiating the subsidized kidney dialysis program in Borno and reaffirmed that UMTH will continue to serve humanity in this manner.

Borno state sponsored Kidney research

The CMD lauded Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state for providing a special grant of ₦50 million to the hospital for onward investigation of causes of Kidney failures in Borno State.

The research has been going on simultaneously but even though the results have not been officially released, the research on kidney failure in Borno State indicates a significant burden of CKD with hypertension and glomerulonephritis being major contributing factors.

Checks on a source who commented about the ongoing study of the prevalence of CKD in Maiduguri hinted
that the researchers found out that a substantial percentage of patients on dialysis so far had CKD of unknown cause.

Prof. Ahidjo while responding to a question on CKD however hinted that diabetes and hypertension were equally major contributors to kidney malfunctions in the region.

He maintained that samples already taken are being analyzed to determine specific regional causes, while urging the public to adopt healthier lifestyles, stay hydrated, and engage in regular physical activity to reduce risks.

Prevalence of high CKD has been noticed specifically in central and southern Borno but the research is yet to establish if it has anything to do with the water consumed or the general lifestyle of the residents of this region of the state.

UMTH conducts successful kidney transplant 15 years after

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‘We are no longer afraid’: MSF hands over Lassa fever care in Ebonyi State

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2 weeks ago

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June 19, 2025

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‘We are no longer afraid’: MSF hands over Lassa fever care in Ebonyi State

By: Michael Mike

Abuja, 18th June- After seven years of critical support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), local health authorities in Ebonyi State are now well equipped to take on Lassa fever with improved infrastructure, training, and resilience—saving lives and restoring confidence in the healthcare system.

In early 2018, Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria faced a serious public health concern. Lassa fever – a potentially deadly viral haemorrhagic neglected tropical disease – recorded a particularly high seasonal outbreak, with a much larger number of cases, overwhelming hospitals and claiming numerous lives, notably among healthcare workers, particularly exposed to infection risks.

“We lost doctors, nurses, and cleaners,” recalled Dr. Nnennaya Anthony Ajayi, then head of clinical services at the virology unit of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), the state’s main referral centre. “There was panic. In the hospital, 16 healthcare workers passed away. People were afraid to go near the emergency room.”

Though the federal and state governments had already made strides—building an isolation ward and setting up a virology lab—AE-FUTHA was not prepared for the outbreak’s scale. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was scarce. Infection control procedures were unclear. Samples had to be sent to distant labs for confirmation. Suspected patients were sometimes kept in open spaces, and the risks for staff were devastating.

It’s in that context that MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, arrived in Abakaliki to support the response. What began as an emergency intervention soon evolved into a seven-year partnership with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, laying the groundwork for sustainable, locally led Lassa fever care.

Protect Health Workers, Improve Care for Patients
From the outset, MSF’s top priority was clear: stop the loss of healthcare workers.

“We had to put an end to this series of avoidable deaths,” said Alain-Godefroid Ndikundavyi, MSF’s most recent project coordinator in Ebonyi. “Our main objective was to reverse that trend and to reinforce the hospital’s capacity to better receive and treat patients with the disease.”

MSF’s intervention was wide-ranging. The organisation built triage and observation areas, distributed PPE, implemented robust infection prevention and control (IPC) systems, and trained local staff to manage Lassa cases safely and effectively.

“They helped us structure patient flow, IPC and biosafety measures, and provided what we needed to work safely,” said Dr. Ajayi. “They brought structure, training, and most importantly, hope.”

In total, over 230 training sessions for healthcare workers were delivered, and laboratory capacity was strengthened, enabling faster diagnosis. Eventually, a new model of care was put in place to deal with the disease, protect staff, and better support patients.

Between 2018 and 2024, MSF supported the treatment of 1,701 suspected and 427 confirmed Lassa fever cases. MSF also paid the full cost of patient care—including dialysis, medications, and meals—which significantly reduced fatalities.

Crucially, deaths among healthcare workers fell dramatically, with many years passing without a single death being recorded.

Reaching Beyond the Hospital
But MSF understood that stopping Lassa fever required action far beyond hospital walls. The disease thrives in communities where public health awareness is low and early detection is lacking.

“To bridge that gap, we mobilised health promotion teams that conducted over 4,500 education sessions and nearly 1,300 community visits across Ebonyi State,” said Ndikundavyi. “These efforts demystified the disease, corrected misconceptions, and encouraged early care-seeking behaviour.”

MSF also supported two primary healthcare centres in rural areas—Izzi Unuhu and Onuebonyi—providing training, lab equipment, medical supplies, and even building water towers to ensure safe sanitation. The goal was to catch Lassa fever early and ease the burden on AE-FUTHA.

“We realised that to truly fight Lassa, the response had to start at the community level,” said Ndikundavyi.

A New Chapter
In 2025, MSF formally handed over operations to the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health and AE-FUTHA. This transition was carefully planned and included donations of medical equipment, ambulances, and waste management tools. Enough supplies were provided to last through the next Lassa fever peak season.

“We officially handed over management responsibilities at the end of 2024 but kept an observational team on until March of this year, in case the Ministry needed additional resources,” Ndikundavyi said.

MSF also supported the creation of internal committees within AE-FUTHA to maintain standards in infection control, patient care, and outbreak response—ensuring that progress would continue after their departure. More broadly, MSF experts partnered with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), state and federal authorities to improve detection, prevention, and medical care guidelines.

Today, AE-FUTHA is a different place. Gone are the days of improvised gear and terrified staff. Healthcare workers now operate with confidence, knowledge, and access to proper equipment. Patients are treated with dignity, and survivors return home with hope. Not as outcasts, but as symbols of resilience.

The fight against Lassa fever is not over. In 2024 alone, 24 confirmed cases were recorded in AE-FUTHA, with one death among the hospital staff—still tragic, but a far cry from what happened in 2018, when 16 healthcare workers alone were lost.

“We are no longer afraid,” Dr. Ajayi said. “MSF helped us believe that we could fight Lassa fever—and win.”

‘We are no longer afraid’: MSF hands over Lassa fever care in Ebonyi State

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