Residents of Lafia and its surrounding areas are celebrating the recent approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, a significant development set to transform healthcare access in the region. This move comes at a time when the lack of tertiary healthcare facilities has placed an overwhelming strain on the existing Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, the primary medical institution in Lafia.
Currently, the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital is struggling to meet the healthcare needs of the growing population, leading many residents to travel long distances to other cities such as Abuja, Keffi, Makurdi, or Jos to access critical medical services. The absence of a tertiary hospital has left local residents frustrated, with many having to endure the added burden of travel expenses and the risk of delayed treatment.
In August, President Tinubu approved the conversion of the state-owned Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital into the takeoff site for the new Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital. The approval followed a formal request from the Nasarawa State Government, which had long advocated for a tertiary hospital to address the region’s growing healthcare needs. This move is expected to not only enhance healthcare delivery in Lafia but also contribute to the development of medical education and research in the region.
The establishment of the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital is seen as a landmark achievement for the people of Lafia, who have long awaited better access to quality healthcare. The new facility will provide advanced medical services, reduce the need for travel to distant cities, and improve the overall healthcare infrastructure in Nasarawa State. Local leaders and residents have expressed their gratitude for the initiative, noting that it will have a lasting positive impact on the health and well-being of the community.
With the approval now in place, the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital is set to play a key role in not only providing healthcare but also fostering medical education and training for future generations of healthcare professionals in the region.
