The Federal Government has commissioned an advanced radio diagnostic and cardiac catheterization centre at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, as part of efforts to expand access to specialized healthcare in Nigeria.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who inaugurated the facility described its completion as a fulfillment of the government’s commitment to upgrading healthcare infrastructure.
Pate recalled that President Bola Tinubu approved 16 major health infrastructure projects in February 2024, comprising six cancer centres and 10 diagnostic facilities under the MedServe expansion programme.
He said all 10 diagnostic facilities had been completed, while three of the six cancer centres were also ready, bringing the total number of completed projects to 13.
“This is massive infrastructure investment never seen in 66 years of independence. In three years, we have seen that, but more is to come,” Pate said.
He commended the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and MedServe for delivering the projects.
Pate also assured the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashid Ladoja, and other stakeholders that plans were underway to revamp UCH infrastructure, describing the institution as an important centre of excellence that required renewal.
On the health workforce, Pate said the government was addressing challenges associated with the “japa” syndrome by doubling training quotas for medical, nursing and pharmacy students.
He, however, noted that expanding the workforce would take time to produce results, adding that the government was also working to improve remuneration and compensation.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, said the facility was part of NSIA’s healthcare expansion programme implemented through MedServe.
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Oyedele said the programme was designed to reduce the number of Nigerians traveling abroad for medical treatment by providing specialised services locally.
He said 13 Phase 1 centres, including the facility in Bauchi commissioned earlier on Monday and the Ibadan centre, were expected to serve about 300,000 Nigerians within their first two years of operation.
The centres are located in Bauchi, Jos, Nguru, Ibadan, Ilorin, Asaba, Enugu, Uyo, Kaduna and Sokoto.
Oyedele said government budgets alone could not meet Nigeria’s development needs, stressing the importance of mobilising private and other development capital.
He added that Ibadan’s concentration of medical training and research institutions gave the city an important role in expanding specialised healthcare.
Earlier, UCH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, said the project marked the completion of a 788-day journey from the groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 8, 2024.
He said the project, executed in partnership with NSIA and MedServe, would provide advanced diagnostic and catheterisation services to address the growing burden of complex diseases.
Otegbayo said the partnership demonstrated the impact of institutions combining complementary strengths while supporting UCH’s mandate of clinical services, research and training.
He commended President Tinubu, Pate, Oyedele and other partners for making the project possible.
NAN
