The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, has directed the contractor handling the State University Teaching Hospital to speed up completion so the facility can be commissioned and put to use. According to Channels Television, he gave the directive during an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing projects at the hospital site along Damaturu Road in Maiduguri.
The governor arrived at the teaching hospital in the company of members of the State Executive Council. He was then taken on an inspection tour of the ongoing works at the facility by the Chief Medical Director and the contractor handling the project.
Zulum expressed satisfaction with the level of work seen at the site. Nevertheless, he urged the contractor to hasten the completion of the remaining works so that the hospital can begin serving patients without further delay.
According to the consultant on the project, more than 90% of the total work required at the hospital has already been completed. Officials said the remaining works are expected to be rounded off within about 60 days, after which the facility will be ready for utilization.
On equipment, officials said the items needed for the hospital have already been purchased and procured, and are now on the ground. They voiced confidence that the long-awaited facility is close to being fully set to operate.
In terms of human resources for health, approval has been granted and more than 350 staff have so far been employed for the hospital. Those involved said this leaves the institution ready to go once the construction phase is finalised.
The governor added that more hospitals will be established across the Jere and Maiduguri Metropolitan councils, pointing to additional projects already under way. When completed, the teaching hospital is expected to meet the academic needs of the institution's medical students and to serve as a medical hub for residents and for neighbouring countries that share a border with Borno State.