Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a N1 billion financial support package for the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) to fund kidney transplants for underprivileged residents of the state.
Governor Zulum made the announcement during the 110th General Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, held at the UMTH premises. The occasion also featured the commissioning of several landmark healthcare projects.
As part of the immediate rollout, Zulum approved an initial deposit of N250 million to facilitate kidney transplant surgeries for 50 indigent patients. He stated that the remaining N750 million would be disbursed in three installments.
“I am pleased to announce that the Borno State Government will deposit the sum of N250 million to support kidney transplants for 50 patients. This is part of a larger N1 billion commitment to assist the less privileged indigenes of the state,” the governor said. “This is only the beginning. I promise to do even more.”
Zulum commended UMTH for its recent strides in specialised healthcare, particularly the success of its kidney transplant programme.
“I was informed that both the patients and donors are doing very well. This is a landmark achievement and a major relief for patients, especially those who cannot afford the high cost of transplant procedures,” he added.
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In a further boost to healthcare delivery, the governor disclosed that ten fully equipped ambulances would be deployed to health facilities across the state before the end of the week, under the State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (SEMAS). This, he said, is aimed at enhancing the ongoing Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
“We are committed to ensuring that this initiative succeeds in providing comprehensive antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, skilled birth attendance, postnatal follow-up, and routine immunisation to protect our children from preventable diseases,” Zulum said.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, who was in attendance, commended Zulum for his commitment to healthcare advancement and for fostering cooperation between state and federal institutions.
“Governor Zulum exemplifies effective leadership through collaboration with the federal government to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare in Borno,” Pate noted.
Also speaking, UMTH Chief Medical Director, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, expressed appreciation to the Borno State Government for its earlier N500 million intervention following the 2024 floods, which helped rehabilitate critical health infrastructure including the Trauma and Kidney Centres, and reactivated the hospital’s oxygen plant.
