Federal Health Ministry Unveils New Facilities at UATH to Boost Specialized Care

In a significant move aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has officially commissioned a series of critical medical infrastructure projects at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada.

The commissioning, which took place on Tuesday, includes a newly completed Radiology Complex, an ultra-modern Cardiology Unit, and a state-of-the-art Infectious Disease Treatment Centre. These additions are expected to significantly improve patient care, reduce medical tourism, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to both chronic and emerging health challenges.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Alausa described the projects as “a bold step toward achieving universal health coverage and advancing the quality of tertiary healthcare in the country.”

“With these new facilities, UATH is now better positioned to serve as a referral centre not just for the FCT but for the entire northern region,” the Minister said. “We are committed to bridging the healthcare infrastructure gap across Nigeria.”

Upgrades Designed to Address Critical Gaps

Among the facilities commissioned is a fully digitized Radiology Suite equipped with MRI and CT scan technology, which hospital management says will cut waiting times for diagnostic imaging by up to 60%.

The new Cardiology Unit, the first of its kind in a federal hospital within the North-Central zone, is equipped with cardiac catheterization labs and a coronary care unit, allowing the hospital to manage complex heart conditions locally rather than referring patients abroad.

In addition, the Infectious Disease Centre is designed to handle outbreaks such as Lassa fever, COVID-19, and other emerging infectious diseases, with negative pressure isolation wards and on-site laboratory capacity.

Hospital Leadership Commends Government Support

Chief Medical Director of UATH, Prof. Bissallah Ekele, expressed gratitude to the federal government for what he termed “a transformative intervention” in the hospital’s capacity.

“This is a new chapter for UATH. These facilities will not only improve patient outcomes but also enhance the training of medical students and residents,” Prof. Ekele said.

He also emphasized that the hospital, as a teaching institution, will now offer a broader scope for clinical research and advanced medical education, benefiting institutions affiliated with the University of Abuja.

Stakeholders Call for Sustained Investment

The event was attended by senior health officials, lawmakers, and representatives from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), who lauded the development but stressed the need for continuity.

Dr. Uche Obiora, a representative of the NMA, stated:

“It’s one thing to build state-of-the-art facilities, but we must also ensure they are adequately staffed, funded, and maintained.”

With Nigeria still grappling with issues like brain drain and limited access to specialist care, the upgrades at UATH mark a positive shift but stakeholders agree that sustained commitment and nationwide scaling will be key to lasting impact.

source: Leadership.ng

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *