Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, says Nigeria is working towards building a healthcare system that will end medical tourism and meet international standards.
Senator Barau stated this on Sunday while inspecting seven major projects he facilitated at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
He said the projects were part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen the nation’s health institutions.
“Our goal is to make our hospitals so good that Nigerians will no longer need to travel to Egypt or India for medical treatment,” Barau said.
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“We have the human resources and expertise to transform our health sector if we invest properly.”
He explained that the ongoing projects at AKTH are designed to upgrade the hospital into a more advanced and specialised medical centre capable of providing world-class care.
The seven projects include the construction and equipping of a cardiothoracic centre, paediatrics complex, classrooms and offices for the School of Health Information Management (SHIM), and the construction of a student hostel at the College of Nursing Sciences.
Other works include road construction and interlocking at various departments within the hospital premises.
Barau, who was accompanied by four senators, said the initiatives were in line with President Tinubu’s vision of a strong and accessible healthcare system for all Nigerians.
“What we are doing is in tune with the President’s desire to provide a sound healthcare delivery system at a specialised level. This is just the beginning. We will keep developing AKTH until it becomes the best in West Africa.”
“What we are witnessing now, in terms of medical tourism, will soon stop with the necessary investment in our health sector. We have the human resources and the expertise to transform our capabilities into hospitals where you don’t need to travel to Egypt or India to seek medical treatment. And from what this institution is doing, I’m sure that trend will be a thing of the past soon,” he said
He also assured that the National Assembly will continue to support the executive through legislation and oversight to ensure the success of reforms in the health sector.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, commended Senator Barau for his contributions, saying the projects would greatly improve healthcare delivery and learning at the hospital.
Similarly, Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Prof. Haruna Musa, expressed appreciation, noting that within two months of his assumption of office, Senator Barau had already attracted two major projects to the university.
“Senator Barau’s commitment is evident, and we are proud of the support he continues to give to BUK and AKTH,” the Vice Chancellor said.
