UMTH : Child Institute/Center, Safe Haven For Child Care

UMTH : Child Institute/Center, Safe Haven For Child Care

By: Balami Lazarus 

The University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Borno State has seen a significant improvement in medical infrastructure and facilities despite the rebels’ destruction of the Northeast. Medical professionals, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders are pleased with Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s capable leadership as Chief Medical Director.

Indeed, we could see that from the recent recognition of the CMD as Zannah Burshema of Borno by the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Al-amin Ibn El-kanemi. A title that speaks long and wide about the trust and reliability of the Borno people in the activities and achievements of Professor Ahmed Ahidjo since taking over the leadership position in the management of this great health institution.

Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo

The hospital, which will be in operation as a “Centre of Excellence” for 40 years from 1983 to 2023, has invested heavily in human capital development, considerably improving healthcare services. In reality, several stakeholders claimed that UMTH is a medical research empire where various medical facilities managed and staffed by experts in various medical specialties offer services to the general population.

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Following the report on these developments, it has been abundantly evident that UMTH is Nigeria’s largest teaching hospital, with advanced medical facilities set up to handle the treatment of a variety of ailments and illnesses. This marks an important turning point in the development of Nigeria’s health sector.

In accordance with the Department of Paediatric and Community Medicine at UMTH, the Federal Ministry of Finance financed the Child Institute/Centre, which was created in 2017. The Center opened its doors in 2019 to provide care and attention for all pediatric medical cases. It has a pediatric emergency unit, a pediatric medical ward, and a special care infant unit for both inside and outside deliveries. Additionally, it includes a pediatric outpatient clinic, pediatric specialist clinics and surgeries, orthopaedics, a child mental health center, a vaccination clinic, and other child care services. These facilities or clinics provide various pediatric therapies.

Speaking with the director of The Child Institute/Center, Prof. Yauba Mohammed Sa’ad, a pediatric specialist with a focus on children’s health care and treatment, revealed to NEWSng that the Child Institute/Centre was the brilliant idea of the CMD Professor Ahmed Ahidjo to have a separate Center that will cater to and care for all medical treatment needs for children, including admission. “The Center is holistic, comparable to a typical children’s hospital, where we provide pediatric medical care, pediatric surgery, and other pediatric cases.” While receiving treatment and receiving medication, children need to be loved, cared for, and fed.

Prof Ahmed Ahidjo

The Center is comfortable and equipped to treat all pediatric medical issues, according to Matron Mairo Lamidi, an experienced pediatric nurse. “They are vulnerable to diseases and health hazards that cause illness in them,” she stated. The issues these types of patients encounter with regard to children’s health are addressed by Our Child Institute and Center. According to this, the Child Institute/Centre will eventually come to the attention of UNICEF for its participation on issues relating to children’s health and education.

The Centre, which is be to named after the immediate past Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed for her support in establishing the centre is furnished with the clinics and offices required for administration, services, and therapy. In this 150-bed facility, any inborn patients who experience medical problems are instantly admitted. However, this also applies to any unborn child.

Nevertheless, The Child Institute and Center requires nursing stations and changing facilities for the staff nurses.

UMTH : Child Institute/Center, Safe Haven For Child Care