President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned a series of health infrastructure projects across Nigeria and launched 145 tricycle ambulances aimed at strengthening emergency medical response services nationwide.
The projects, executed across the country’s six geopolitical zones, span primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions. They form part of the administration’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes for Nigerians.
According to a statement issued by the Assistant Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Ado Bako, the projects underscore the government’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare services.
Speaking virtually during the nationwide commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu described the projects as a major milestone in his administration’s healthcare renewal agenda and reaffirmed his commitment to providing affordable and quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
“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.”
The President commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state governments, federal teaching hospitals and development partners, including the World Bank, the Gates Foundation and eHealth Africa, for their contributions to the projects.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, said the initiatives represent significant progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030 under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
According to him, the administration’s healthcare strategy extends beyond infrastructure development to strengthening disease prevention, immunisation, maternal healthcare and quality primary healthcare services nationwide.
“The facilities commissioned today reflect a deliberate effort to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare system for long-term service delivery,” Pate said.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said the projects align with President Tinubu’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to all Nigerians.
He described the commissioning as another milestone in efforts to strengthen the health system, expand access to lifesaving services and ensure quality healthcare reaches urban, riverine and rural communities.
Salako disclosed that the newly launched NEMSAS assets include 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances and emergency communication and dispatch equipment designed to enhance pre-hospital care across the country.
“The investments reflect a bold national vision where no Nigerian should lose their life because structured medical help could not reach them in time,” he said.
He added that the projects commissioned include Emergency Operations Centres in Kano, Sokoto and Katsina states; the Lagos Vaccine Hub; primary healthcare infrastructure in Delta State; and several tertiary healthcare projects across federal teaching hospitals and medical centres.
Among the facilities commissioned are the Trauma Centre at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; the Mental Health Complex at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; the Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre in Bauchi; the Laboratory Complex at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Complex at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.
Salako disclosed that more than 100 health projects have been earmarked to mark the administration’s third anniversary, although only selected projects from the six geopolitical zones were chosen for presidential commissioning.
He noted that the government has 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.
The minister further revealed that over 500 specialist healthcare facilities, including cancer centres of excellence and diagnostic centres, have been developed to reduce the need for Nigerians to seek medical treatment abroad.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Daju Kachollom, said the newly launched ambulances would be deployed to primary healthcare centres, particularly in rural communities.
According to her, trained drivers and healthcare workers will be attached to the ambulances to ensure prompt emergency response and patient referrals.
“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 the ambulances anytime they need to be moved,” she said.
Kachollom expressed optimism that the health sector would continue to witness significant improvements under the Renewed Hope Agenda and noted that emergency communication systems at primary healthcare facilities would be strengthened to improve coordination and referrals.
The virtual commissioning ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stakeholders and representatives of agencies and parastatals under the ministry.
