By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the immediate completion of the ongoing 300-bed Orthopaedic Hospital along Dikwa Road within the next four months as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
The directive was issued on Friday during the governor’s inspection tour of key infrastructure projects in Maiduguri, including major healthcare, road, and industrial development initiatives being executed by his administration.
During the tour, Governor Zulum also assessed progress at the state-of-the-art Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, a 400-bed medical facility valued at several billions of naira. He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, revealing that the project had surpassed 90 percent completion and would become operational within the next 60 days.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting the facility, the governor disclosed that all critical medical equipment required for the hospital had already been procured and delivered.
“The equipment designated for this hospital has been fully purchased and delivered. Based on the briefing from the consultants, more than 90 percent of the project has been completed, and we are confident that the remaining works will be concluded within the next 60 days,” Zulum stated.
He further announced that preparations for the hospital’s take-off had advanced considerably, with approval already granted for the recruitment of approximately 350 healthcare personnel.
According to him, the teaching hospital represents one of the administration’s flagship healthcare projects and is expected to significantly enhance access to specialist medical services within and beyond Borno State.
Governor Zulum emphasized that while the facility would be accessible to residents, its operations would be guided by a sustainable management framework capable of guaranteeing long-term efficiency and maintenance.
He noted that the government would adopt a balanced cost-recovery system that protects vulnerable citizens while ensuring the institution remains financially viable.
“We cannot operate entirely on a free-service model, neither can we charge at private hospital rates. A carefully structured pricing system is necessary to sustain the facility while continuing to provide quality healthcare to the people,” he explained.
The governor also stressed the importance of deploying a fully automated management and billing system to enhance transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
He expressed optimism that the hospital would evolve into a major referral centre serving not only residents of Borno State but also patients from neighbouring states and countries.
In addition to the teaching hospital, Governor Zulum inspected the 300-bed Orthopaedic Hospital, which has reached about 85 percent completion, and ordered contractors to ensure its delivery within four months.
The governor also visited the ongoing road infrastructure projects at the Maiduguri Industrial Hub and reviewed progress on other strategic developments across the state.
Earlier in the week, Zulum inspected several landmark projects, including the 4,000-seat International Conference Centre, the Post Office Flyover, and the 2.5-kilometre Tandari–Kasuwan Shani–Neital Shoe and Tannery Road.
The inspection tour was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; special advisers, permanent secretaries, and other senior government officials.
