Gov Zulum and Dr Jimoh
Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has approved the allocation of N465m and a designated space for establishing a National Orthopedic Hospital in Azare town, the headquarters of Hawul Local Government Area in Borno.
The hospital will be the first of its kind in the North East to address the pressing need for specialised orthopaedic care in the sub-region when established.
A statement from the Borno Government Press Unit said the Governor made the disclosure on Thursday when he received members of the accreditation team from the Federal Ministry of Health led by the Director of Hospital Services in the ministry, Dr Jimoh O. Saludeen.
“We have General Hospital, Azare, belonging to the Borno State Government. We will move them to another location and I have approved the sum of N465m for the rehabilitation of the hospital.
“We are not only giving the hospital but including the staff quarters.
“In addition to this, if there is any need, the state government can support you in realising the dream of establishing the national orthopaedic hospital.
“The Federal Government might own the hospital, but who are the beneficiaries? Who will use the hospital? The greatest beneficiaries are the people of Borno State,” Zulum said.
Briefing the governor earlier, Dr Jimoh O. Saludeen explained that their visit was to assess the proposed site for establishing a National Orthopaedic Hospital in Azare following the president’s approval.
Saludeen commended Zulum for supporting his team and providing the needed leadership for the people of Borno.
The delegation comprises the member representing Askira/Hawul Federal Constituency, Rep. Midala Balami, and his predecessor who initiated the bill for the hospital, Dr Haruna Mishelia, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, and other senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Others who graced the meeting include the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, and the Chief Adviser to the Governor and Coordinator Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response, Dr Mairo Mandara.
