Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has renewed his call on the Federal Government to establish more medical centres in the state, citing the prolonged insurgency that has strained the region’s healthcare system.
The governor made the appeal during the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cede the General Hospital in Azare to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Abuja. The agreement marks a significant step toward converting the facility into a specialised orthopaedic centre.
Zulum had first announced plans to hand over the hospital during a visit from the Federal Ministry of Health’s Director of Hospital Services in 2024, pledging over ₦400 million for its rehabilitation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Zulum lauded the Federal Government’s support for the project. “Our people often travel to Kano for orthopaedic care. With this hospital, they will now have access to affordable, specialised treatment much closer to home,” he said.
The governor stressed the need for more healthcare facilities across Borno, pointing to the lasting effects of over a decade of violent conflict. “The insurgency continues to affect our people, and the resulting health challenges demand urgent and expanded medical infrastructure,” he stated.
Zulum further revealed that Borno is currently the only Nigerian state without a Federal Medical Centre (FMC). To bridge the gap, he announced his administration’s plan to construct a state-of-the-art hospital that could be taken over by the Federal Government in the future.
“Federal medical centres are critical to supporting state-level healthcare, especially in post-conflict environments like ours. If we can get five more centres, we are ready to equip them for immediate service,” he assured.
The governor also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the establishment of the orthopaedic hospital in Azare.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, commended Governor Zulum’s dedication to healthcare development, describing him as “Nigeria’s foremost health-friendly governor.” Salako praised Zulum’s recent move to increase doctors’ salaries to match federal rates and his broader investment in the health sector.
The minister also announced that the Federal Government has established 12 new tertiary health institutions nationwide over the past two years, including the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Azare.