Vice President Kashim Shettima stated on Wednesday that the Federal Government will seek partnerships with private sector for the training of healthcare workers nationwide.
This announcement follows President Bola Tinubu's previously revealed plans for a complete overhaul of physical infrastructure, equipment, and the retraining of frontline healthcare workers beginning in 2024.
Shettima made this statement when he met with the management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof Ahmed Ahidjo, at the Presidential Villa.
Shettima emphasized that the administration has identified improved healthcare delivery as a key priority.
Additionally, the administration will utilize President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointment as the African Union Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership, according to Shettima.
He expressed that the Federal Government will aid in the training of personnel in its teaching hospitals and other tertiary health institutions in the country to address emerging healthcare delivery challenges.
Stanley Nkwocha, the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Communications, shared this information in a statement titled, 'President Tinubu passionate about enhanced healthcare delivery – VP Shettima'.
The VP praised the current management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for their significant achievements in recent years and affirmed the administration's commitment to supporting human capacity development in hospitals nationwide.
“Training is very essential; we will explore all available avenues to support UMTH and other teaching hospitals in the country in the training of their personnel.
“We will see how our partnership with the private sector can be helpful in this regard.
“I want to commend the CMD and his team for providing quality leadership to the hospital and all of their subordinates. There have been remarkable improvements witnessed at UMTH since his assumption of duty,” said the VP.
He particularly noted the expansion of the hospital from a 600-bed to a 1305-bed facility as a “proactive and aggressive” by the CMD, who he commended for sourcing for external funding.
“The improvements in staff morale, capacity building, and the general outlook of the teaching hospital have been significant,” commented the VP.
During his earlier remarks, Prof. Ahidjo described Wednesday’s meeting as a visit to express gratitude to the vice president for his support to the institution over the past 15 years and to present the hospital's achievements and future plans.
The CMD stated that with the backing of the government and other stakeholders, the hospital has expanded from a 600-bed to a 1,305-bed facility equipped with cutting-edge equipment.
In addition to establishing new centers for trauma, dialysis, cancer, and stroke treatment, among others, the hospital is home to over 100 professors specializing in various areas, as per Ahidjo.
However, he appealed for more support from the Vice President to help the institution achieve its goal of becoming an international center of excellence in healthcare delivery and personnel training through the establishment of an electronic health institute to facilitate its digitalization project.
Other members of the group are Prof. Sanusi Ibrahim, who is the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee; Idris Omar, the Director of Administration; Prof. Modu Kagu, the Director of Clinical Services; Prof. Faruk Buba, the Director of Research and Ethics; Dr. Abubakar Mohammed, the Director of Training, and Prof. Ibrahim Ummate, the Director of UMTH Kidney Centre.
