By Mercy Gadia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday launched key health infrastructure projects across the country, alongside 145 tricycle ambulances aimed at improving emergency medical response nationwide.
The projects, executed across the six geopolitical zones in primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions, form part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes for Nigerians.
Speaking during the virtual commissioning, Tinubu described the initiatives as a major milestone in his administration’s healthcare renewal agenda.
“We are determined to give Nigerians the kind of care that, for too long, only those who could travel abroad enjoyed,” the President said.
“From rural Sokoto to the Delta creeks and the streets of Lagos, our emergency response system must work as one national structure.”
He also commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, development partners, and state governments for their roles in implementing the projects.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the projects represent measurable progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
According to him, the administration is not only expanding infrastructure but also strengthening prevention, immunisation, maternal care, and primary healthcare systems.
“The facilities commissioned today reflect a deliberate effort to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare system for long-term service delivery,” Pate said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the projects align with the President’s commitment to making healthcare a fundamental right for all Nigerians.
“This landmark occasion features the launch of NEMSAS assets, including 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, and emergency communication equipment to strengthen pre-hospital care across the nation,” he said.
Salako added that the projects commissioned include Emergency Operations Centres in Kano, Sokoto and Katsina states; the Lagos Vaccine Hub; primary healthcare upgrades in Delta State; and several tertiary health facilities nationwide.
He listed others to include a trauma centre at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; a mental health complex at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; and a laboratory complex at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The minister disclosed that over 100 projects were lined up to mark the administration’s third anniversary, with selected ones presented for presidential commissioning.
He added that the government had expanded health insurance coverage by over 33 per cent, revitalised more than 4,000 primary healthcare centres, and established 15 new federal tertiary health institutions.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the ambulances would be deployed mainly to rural primary healthcare centres to enhance emergency response.
“These ambulances are going down to the rural areas, and they will be stationed at the primary healthcare centres where there are trained drivers, while nurses will accompany them when deployed,” she said.
Kachollom expressed optimism that ongoing reforms would further strengthen emergency response systems and healthcare delivery nationwide.
The event was attended by top government officials, stakeholders, and staff of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.