July 29, (THEWILL) — Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a N1 billion support package for the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) to fund kidney transplants for indigent patients across the state.
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, which also featured the commissioning of key healthcare projects at the hospital.
As part of the commitment, the governor approved an immediate deposit of N250 million to cover transplant procedures for 50 less privileged patients.
He added that the remaining N750 million would be disbursed in three instalments.
Zulum said, “I am pleased to announce that the Borno State Government will deposit the sum of N250 million to support the kidney transplants of 50 patients
“This N1 billion support reflects our commitment to improving access to critical healthcare for the less privileged in our state.
“We are ready to partner with UMTH to ensure the sustainability of this kidney transplant initiative. This is just the beginning—I promise to do more.”
He lauded the teaching hospital for successfully conducting kidney transplant surgeries, describing the development as a breakthrough in specialised healthcare delivery in the region.
“I was informed that both the patients and the donors are doing very well. This is a landmark achievement and a huge relief, especially for those who cannot afford the cost of such procedures,” he noted.
In a related effort to strengthen emergency healthcare services, Zulum announced that 10 new, fully equipped ambulances would be deployed across the state’s healthcare facilities within the week.
The move, he said, aligns with the ongoing Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
“As a government, we pledge our full support for the sustainability and scale-up of the maternal and newborn health programme. It is a key pillar of our broader health sector reform,” the governor stated.
“We are committed to ensuring that this initiative provides comprehensive antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, skilled birth attendance, postnatal follow-up, and routine immunisation to protect our children from preventable diseases.”
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, commended Governor Zulum for promoting synergy between state and federal health institutions.
“Governor Zulum exemplifies teamwork by collaborating with the federal government to improve healthcare access and quality in Borno State,” Pate said.
Also speaking at the event, UMTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, acknowledged the governor’s earlier intervention of N500 million following the 2024 flood disaster.
He said the funds helped restore critical services, including renovations of the Trauma and Kidney Centres, procurement of medical supplies, and reactivation of the hospital’s oxygen plant.
Dignitaries at the event included members of the National Assembly, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON), the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, former Deputy Governor Hon. Usman Mamman Durkwa, and over 70 chief medical directors and medical directors from across the country.
