Zulum Inaugurates Eye, Dental Hospitals, Mega School in Biu

Zulum Inaugurates Eye, Dental Hospitals, Mega School in Biu

By Madu Mohammed,  Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art eye and dental hospital as well as a mega secondary school in Biu Local Government Area, marking a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare and education sectors.

The newly inaugurated 40-bed capacity eye hospital, equipped with advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities, aims to address the rising demand for ophthalmological care in southern Borno.

To ensure effective service delivery, the governor has approved the recruitment of highly trained medical doctors and specialists to provide treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, and other vision-related ailments.

Similarly, the 30-bed capacity dental hospital will offer comprehensive oral healthcare, including preventive care, orthodontics, and restorative treatments. The facility is expected to reduce the need for residents to travel long distances for dental care.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Governor Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the state.

He stated that healthcare remains one of the cardinal pillars of Borno State’s 25-Year Development Plan and 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative. As part of this commitment, the government allocated 15% of the state’s budget to the health sector for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, aligning with the Abuja Declaration recommendation for healthcare financing.

He emphasized that these investments are geared toward prioritizing the well-being of the people.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, Professor Abubakar Ali Kullima, explained that the newly built hospitals would not only provide medical services but also serve as training centers for healthcare professionals.

He further announced that, immediately after the inauguration, the hospital would begin offering free ophthalmic surgeries for citizens in the southern Borno region.

In addition to the healthcare projects, Governor Zulum also commissioned a mega secondary school in Miringa, located 10 km from Biu town. Designed to accommodate over 1,300 students, the school is equipped with 60 classrooms, an ICT center, and four science laboratories to enhance teaching and learning.

To support students from nearby villages, the governor distributed essential learning materials, including textbooks, exercise books, uniforms, and school sandals, along with a bicycle for each enrolled student to ease transportation challenges.

Meanwhile, in a further demonstration of his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare services, Governor Zulum announced the approval of funds for the construction of five new general hospitals in Askira Uba, Magumeri, Gubio, Mafa, and Dikwa. The governor made this declaration during the commissioning of the hospitals in Biu.

According to him, the Borno State Government has awarded contracts for the construction of modern general hospitals in these areas to enhance healthcare infrastructure and ensure that quality medical services are accessible to residents across the state.

He also stressed the need to address the shortage of healthcare professionals, noting that physical infrastructure alone is not enough to build a resilient healthcare system.

To tackle this challenge, the government is launching a multidimensional initiative aimed at attracting, training, retaining, and developing skilled healthcare professionals.

The governor explained that this effort would involve partnerships with educational institutions, capacity-building programs, and incentives to encourage medical personnel to work in underserved areas.

Further highlighting the state’s healthcare achievements, Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, stated that Borno has become the first state in Nigeria to establish eye and dental hospitals in each of its senatorial zones. He noted that these facilities are equipped with specialists capable of handling advanced ophthalmological and dental health cases, benefiting not only Biu residents but also patients from surrounding areas.

With these developments, Borno State is making significant strides in healthcare and education, reinforcing Governor Zulum’s vision of sustainable and people-centered development.