Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed that the state’s 400-bed Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital be completed and ready for operation within the next 60 days.
The governor gave the directive on Friday during an inspection of the multi-billion naira healthcare facility in Maiduguri as part of his ongoing assessment of major infrastructure projects being executed by his administration.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Zulum disclosed that more than 90 per cent of the work on the hospital had been completed, while all medical equipment required for its operation had already been procured and delivered.
“The equipment meant for this hospital has all been purchased, procured and delivered. You can see the level of development in the hospital, and the consultant has informed us that over 90 per cent of the work required has been completed,” the governor said.
He expressed confidence that the remaining work would be completed within two months, allowing the facility to commence operations.
According to him, approval has already been granted for the recruitment of healthcare personnel, with about 350 staff members employed to support the hospital’s take-off.
“We believe that within the next 60 days, we will round off all the outstanding works, and the hospital will be ready for utilisation. Regarding human resources for health, approval has already been granted, and about 350 staff members have been employed,” Zulum said.
The governor noted that his administration had made substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure and was committed to ensuring the effective management and sustainability of the new facility.
He explained that the hospital would operate under a structured management framework designed to balance affordability with long-term sustainability.
“Business as usual will not be feasible. The cardinal objective of any government is to bring succour to the people, particularly the less privileged. However, we must establish certain standards for costing. We cannot charge like a private hospital, but we also cannot make everything completely free,” he stated.
Zulum also stressed the importance of automating the hospital’s operations, including billing and management systems, to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency.
He added that the facility has the potential to serve not only residents of Borno State but also patients from neighbouring states and countries, positioning it as a major referral centre for quality healthcare services.
During the inspection tour, the governor also visited the ongoing 300-bed State Orthopaedic Hospital along Dikwa Road, which he said had reached about 85 per cent completion.
He directed contractors handling the project to ensure its completion within the next four months.
The governor further inspected the construction of the road network at the Maiduguri Industrial Hub as part of efforts to monitor progress on key development projects across the state.
Zulum was accompanied on the tour by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, as well as other senior government officials.
