Health
UMTH : Professor Ahmed Ahidjo Reaching For The Rescue Of Stroke Patients

UMTH : Professor Ahmed Ahidjo Reaching For The Rescue Of Stroke Patients
By: Balami Lazarus
Much has been said and spoken on stroke over the years in Nigeria . This ailment is associated with so many things that have no relationship with it , including spiritual attachment. Therefore, stroke has become one of the feared medical challenges because of what has been said of it at different fora coupled with different interpretations from men with no iota of medical training or knowledge about this ailment called stroke. At the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the team led by Professor Ahmed Ahidjo came with the idea of a stroke centre to cushion its effects on society.
Although the centre is under construction with over 90 percent, the good news is that all the equipment for the centre are on ground and when completed and soon will be the centre of research and can produce experts that will speak on this challenge to disabuse the minds of many people who believe stroke is attached with some negative belief system.

NEWSng reports that the UMTH has observed its (stroke) many derailing effects among the people and the many attachments. Indeed, in the part of the world , there have never been any stroke unit or department in any of the secondary or tertiary hospitals in Nigeria known for the treatment of stroke until perhaps recently and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital is leading in making the difference going by the investigation carried out in our research to unearth the positive development achievements of the Professor Ahidjo’s led management team.
What is a stroke? And what are the causes of stroke? To put these straight in our brief findings, if anything to go by can be explained as a damage to the brain from interruption of free flow of blood supply. This means high blood pressure (HBP) as usually referred to in plain language. The doctors told us that this is the leading cause of stroke among many people in the world. And this is far contrary to the stories we heard from the village angles about uncle’s and aunties we so called village people.

It is on record that UMTH has provided succour in the treatment of stroke to patients within and around the northeast region including other parts of the country. With the establishment of the Stroke Centre. The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital has taken the centre stage as one the best hospitals in the country. Since the beginning of the insurgents in 2009 to date , the hospital has never closed for a day. It has weathered the storms and stood tall in offering services to the people with new projects put in place by the CMD.
Looking back at his works from the start to date, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has placed on table what has always been a dream for many before him and with his inclusive style of leadership testimonies from the hospital reveals that the Professor of Interventional Radiology is not only intervening from his professional calling but has put a challenge to professional manager of human and capital resources in both administrative and management of hospitals in Nigeria.
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“We all know healthcare is one of the most important foundation pillars in any development. There is no system or community or society that develops without a good health system because it is only when you are healthy that you can be productive. And as long as you do not have a healthy population, the population will not be productive. As long as they are not productive there is no way you can prosper as a society. So, we must understand the value of healthcare in the economy of any nation. A sound healthcare system provides a good platform for economic development. They are directly proportional. If you look at the graphical representation, you will agree that it is a linear relationship between healthcare and economic development. So spending as a nation in our healthcare is very important and not only spending but spending wisely.
“Everybody knows that it is easy to spend money. If they give you money and you enter a supermarket, you can spend it the way you want it. But at the end of the day, if you come out of that super market you asked yourself. Have I done a proper need assessment before I go in? Did I buy the things that I really need and not the things that I want? You evaluate your purchases whether your spending is on your real needs and anything that you do, if you want a proper development you must lay a foundation. There is no way you can expect a child to start running without first sitting and crawling.” Professor Ahmed Ahidjo said in one of his interviews.
Before the Stroke Centre came to reality, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo had made special arrangements and had provided trained men and medical materials which are to give special care for those with medical challenges of stroke. The Stroke Centre is one the biggest structures embarked by the CMD. When NEWSng took time recently to inspect the building it was near completion. In fact, the centre is a complex of its own, where offices for stroke experts , examination rooms , patients wards , laboratories and Out – patient Departments (OPD ) are all available within the Centre.
The UMTH Stroke Centre is a specialized unit lying in a quite serene environment of this institutional hospital. During the tour of this massive construction work, it was revealed that one of the sons of Borno state, a philanthropist, Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa has opened his doors to support and sponsor this health services project as contribution to healthcare services which will soon be commission to alleviate the sufferings of those with stroke challenges.
UMTH : Professor Ahmed Ahidjo Reaching For The Rescue Of Stroke Patients
Health
UMTH ICT Centre: Another addition to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s strong track record in hospital management.

UMTH ICT Centre: Another addition to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s strong track record in hospital management.
By: Dr. James Bwala
The establishment of the UMTH ICT Centre marks a significant milestone in the trajectory of Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s distinguished career in hospital management. This center exemplifies his commitment to integrating modern technology within healthcare systems to enhance operational efficiency and patient care. This professor of interventional radiology has added to his thinking cap a digital innovation. The UMTH ICT Centre serves as a pivotal resource for streamlining hospital processes, improving data management, and supporting clinical decision-making, thereby reinforcing Professor Ahidjo’s reputation for forward-thinking leadership.
Professor Ahidjo’s successful records in hospital administration are characterized by his ability to implement sustainable strategies that optimize resource allocation and promote technological advancement. The inauguration of the UMTH ICT Center further consolidates these achievements by providing healthcare professionals with robust tools for managing information systems effectively. This initiative aligns with contemporary trends emphasizing digitization in healthcare institutions, reflecting an understanding of the critical role that information communication technology plays in modern medical environments.
The UMTH ICT Centre stands as another testament to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s exemplary contributions to hospital management. His visionary approach not only advances institutional capabilities but also sets a benchmark for integrating ICT solutions within healthcare frameworks, ultimately enhancing service delivery and patient outcomes. His efforts not only exemplify a commitment to excellence but also inspire future leaders in the healthcare sector to embrace technological advancements as a means of driving positive change. His legacy in healthcare management continues to inspire innovation and excellence, ensuring that the UMTH remains at the forefront of medical technology integration.

Through his dedication to fostering a culture of innovation, Professor Ahidjo has ensured that the UMTH continues to adapt to the evolving needs of healthcare delivery in the digital age. His leadership exemplifies the transformative impact of integrating cutting-edge technology into healthcare systems, ensuring that UMTH not only meets current demands but is also well-prepared for future challenges. His strategic foresight in leveraging ICT not only enhances operational efficiencies but also significantly contributes to the overall improvement of patient care quality and safety. His commitment to integrating ICT solutions is not just about keeping pace with technological advancements but about setting a new standard for excellence in healthcare management.
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Although this does not come easily, the establishment of the ICT Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) under the leadership of Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo has played a crucial role in enhancing both internal and external communication systems, managing hardware and software infrastructure, and supporting health management information systems. Prof. Ahidjo’s stewardship has been instrumental in expanding this department to include 17 dedicated staff members who ensure seamless operation and continuous improvement of ICT services.
This development is not merely administrative but transformative, as it facilitates efficient healthcare delivery through improved data management and connectivity. The integration of advanced ICT tools under Prof. Ahidjo’s guidance underscores his visionary approach to modernizing UMTH’s operations. Consequently, the establishment of this center will undoubtedly remain an indelible legacy that reflects his commitment to innovation and institutional growth.
For Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, the establishment of the ICT Center at UMTH represents the realization of a long-held vision to propel the institution into the future of medicine. This initiative aligns with global efforts to integrate advanced technology within healthcare systems, thereby enhancing service delivery and medical research capabilities. The ICT Center is designed to facilitate efficient data management, telemedicine, and digital diagnostics, which are critical components in meeting international health standards.
The implementation of cutting-edge information and communication technologies has further strengthened the CMD’s position as an all-rounder in both health and management. The ICT center indeed shows that Professor Ahmed Ahidjo aims to transform UMTH from a traditional health institution into a modern medical hub capable of addressing contemporary challenges. This transformation not only improves patient outcomes but also fosters collaborative opportunities with global health organizations. The development of the ICT center at UMTH underscores the commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare education and service provision, which the professor of interventional radiology has brought to play.
* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.
UMTH ICT Centre: Another addition to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s strong track record in hospital management.
Health
We have the best Opthalmology department in the North East of Nigeria – Prof. Tahir

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
Health
UMTH: Interventional Radiology Centre, a High-tech Medical Solution.

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.
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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.
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