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UMTH now largest hospital in nigeria

UMTH now largest hospital in nigeria
By: Bodunrin Kayode
In an era where demands for bed spaces in some Government Hospitals have become a major challenge in Nigeria, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has added 272 more beds to its centres to become the largest in the country.
While making this assertion recently, Professor Ahidjo noted that the drive to accommodate more patients is meant to meet the growing demands for affordable admission of patients who need special care from the region.
He told the gathering of the committee of 72 Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria (CCMDFTH) who came to attend their 110th regular meeting in Maiduguri that the UMTH now has 1,577 bed spaces scattered in all the new ans old centres of the facility and may add more when the three new proposed centres come to existence.
Reeling out a breakdown of the bed spaces available for in-patients and referrals, Ahidjo said that in 2023, the bed spaces were about 1,305 but as at this week, it has risen to 1,577 making it the largest in Nigeria in terms of in-patients admission capacity.
The CMD commended the Minister of Health and social welfare Professor Mohammad Pate for supporting the steady growth of the hospital which suffered a terrible flood tragedy last year adding that his “team spirit” aimed at targeting goals is exemplary as it has helped in the recovery process from the water due to the collapsed Alau dam..
The CMD equally commended Governor Zulum for the N500m support he gave the hospital last year during the tragedy of the flood which devastated the Borno state capital damaging key infrastructures like the UMTH.
” We are grateful to the Governor for coming to our aid at a time when all our oxygen plants were damaged by the flood. We used that fund to repair one of them and we are using it now. Other facilities damaged include the kidney centre, fire service, our fence and many more including the tarred road in front of the administrative block which were repaired from that fund.” said Prof Ahidjo.
While welcoming his colleagues from all over the federation, Ahidjo announced that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu ICT centre commissioned in the Hospital is the “first medical ICT” facility in the country because of its unique nature.
Other facilities commissioned include: the Professor Jibril Aminu heart care centre which has the capacity to accommodate open heart surgeries and the largest interventional radiology centre in Nigeria.
Additionally, the 150 bed Dr Abubakar Umar Garbai stroke centre meant to handle all manner of strokes was commissioned to light up the occasion for many seniors present at the celebration of another set of new projects at UMTH.
Also in a bid to ease the stress of relatives of patients, the guests witnessed the sod turning ceremony of a hospital guest house where residents can pass the night while waiting for their loved ones on admission get better.
Zulum, relieves first 50 kidney patients from the burden of paying for kidney operations
Addressing the gathering, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum announced a donation of N250m for 50 patients with kidney challenges awaiting transplant.
This is part of a proposed one billion naira the Governor announced to support the handling of the challenge to be spread across the year to keep about 200 residents with the problem alive..
This amount will be renewed after three months to ensure that more patients receive the needed support for consumables during such operations until the remaining N500 million is disbursed in two more separate instalments.
“I am pleased to announce that the Borno State government will deposit the sum of N250 million to support kidney transplants for 50 patients. I am ready to contribute N1 billion as the government’s contribution towards supporting the less privileged indigene of the State ,” Zulum stated.
“The Borno State government therefore pledges to support this initiative and is ready to provide all the partnership required to sustain the provision of kidney transplant to less privileged patients at UMTH. This is only the beginning—I promise to do even more,” he added.
Governor Zulum commended UMTH for its strides in specialised healthcare, particularly its recent successful kidney transplants stating that “I was told both the patients and donors are doing very well. Indeed this is a landmark achievement and a great relief to patients most importantly to those who cannot afford the cost of transplant,” he remarked.
Speaking on the State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (SEMAS), the Governor confirmed that ten new fully equipped ambulances would be deployed across health facilities by the week’s end. This, he stressed, would bolster the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
“As a Government, we pledge our full support for the sustenance and scale-up of the Maternal and Newborns Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative programme. We view it not as a stand alone initiative, but as a critical complement to our broader health reform agenda,”.
“We are committed to ensuring that the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative succeeds in providing comprehensive antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, skilled birth attendance, postnatal follow-up and routine immunisation to protect our children from preventable diseases,” he stressed.
Also present at the occasion were National Assembly members, Elder statesman Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, permanent secretary federal ministry of Health kachollom Daju, former Deputy Governor of Borno, Usman Durkwa, Chair of the committee of CCMDFTH Prof Emem Bassey and over 70 of his colleagues and the represented of several health partners of the UMTH.
UMTH now largest hospital in nigeria
News
Police rescue kidnapped schoolgirl in Abuja, arrest four suspects

Police rescue kidnapped schoolgirl in Abuja, arrest four suspects
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have rescued a 16-year-old girl, Leadway Innocent, who was abducted on her way to school in Jikwoyi area of Abuja.
Zagazola learnt that the rescue operation, which took place on July 31, followed the arrest of four suspects linked to the abduction. The suspects were identified as Mayoma Adediji, Joy Innocent, Tina Mayoma, and Sunday Femi all residents of Jikwoyi Phase 2.
The incident was initially reported on July 30 by the victim’s father, Mr Innocent Doctor, who told police that his daughter left home for Government Secondary School Karu on July 18 but never returned.
He said that two days later, he received a call from an unknown person demanding a ransom of ₦5 million for her release. After negotiation, the abductors reportedly agreed to collect ₦1.5 million.
Upon receipt of the report, police detectives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, launched a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of the suspects and the safe rescue of the victim.
The girl was rescued unhurt at about 1:00 p.m. on July 31, and all four suspects are currently in custody undergoing interrogation,” the statement added.
Police rescue kidnapped schoolgirl in Abuja, arrest four suspects
News
Army troops launch manhunt as bandits abduct two farmers in Sokoto

Army troops launch manhunt as bandits abduct two farmers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have launched a search-and-rescue operation following the abduction of two farmers by suspected armed bandits in Isa LGA in Sokoto state.
Zagazola Makama understands that the victims, Halilu Nuhu of Gidan Bawa village and Mamuda Aliyu of Bagarera village, were reportedly kidnapped around noon on July 31 while working on their farms.
It was gathered that six bandits riding on three motorcycles carried out the abduction and fled into nearby forests.
The troops swift into action to block escape routes and comb suspected hideouts, including forests stretching toward the border with Niger Republic.
Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Army troops launch manhunt as bandits abduct two farmers in Sokoto
News
Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara

Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
A brutal rivalry between two notorious bandit leaders has left three men dead following a violent clash in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash occurred on July 31 in Marbe village, Kwaren Ganuwa district, when gunmen loyal to Kachalla Alti, a notorious bandit commander, attacked the residence of his rival, Haruna Hari.
It was gathered the attack started at about 11:15 a.m., leading to the death of Hari and two of his lieutenants. The attackers also rustled a large number of cattle as well as the weapons of the slain bandit leader, before fleeing to an unknown location.
The incident was part of a long-standing rivalry between the two groups, who have clashed repeatedly over control of criminal routes and operations in the area.
“This isn’t the first time they’ve clashed, but this was the most brutal,” said a resident of Kwaren Ganuwa. “People in this area have lived under their shadow for years.”
Though no civilian casualties were reported,
The Intra-gang violence among armed groups in Zamfara has been on the rise in recent months, fuelled by competition over territory, weapons supply, and ransom collection.
killing of Haruna Hari may trigger more retaliatory attacks in the coming days, especially across Tsafe and Maradun axes where both men had strong influence.
Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara
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