52 medical centres benefit from FGs’ intervention says Minister

On May 14, 2023

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has revealed that the Federal Government has given financial support and approval to 52 federal medical centres and teaching hospitals across the country.

He made this known during a visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital in Benin, both in Edo State.

He noted that the 52 health institutions benefited from the building of molecular laboratories, well-furnished intensive care units and Special Care Baby Units among others

“During the advent of COVID-19, we came up with an economic sustainability plan with a budget size of N500bn, which we got from some special accounts. And within that budget, we thought we should intervene in the federal tertiary institution across the country, to build resilience in our health sector

“In 2020, I will say there were only two molecular laboratories across the country but today, the FG can boast of about 52 molecular labs and of course, UBTH was a beneficiary,” he said.

The minister further explained that the president approved and released N950m to each institution to intervene in four areas.

Agba also stated that the funds released were to build intensive care units, special baby care units and molecular laboratories, and get them furnished.

He said, “You will recall that during that period, COVID-19 was new and we didn’t quite understand it. So there was a need to protect the workers. So, we also invested money in the provision of Personal Protective Equipment.

“I recall visiting here in 2021, and I saw the work that was ongoing. The molecular lab has been completed but the ICU and isolation centre were still under construction.

“So, I thought I should pass by and see what has been done with the funds that were provided by His Excellency, the president,” he noted.

The minister also claimed that he was responsible for the costing of the projects, allocation and disbursement to the various medical centres, including teaching hospitals.

He noted that in the 2023 budget, provisions have been made to provide intervention funds for 13 teaching hospitals, and revealed that the UBTH and Irrua specialist teaching hospitals would also benefit.

“we were able to access some additional funding and we thought it should be put to the health sector. So, to that extent, we made an additional provision of N1billion to UBTH as well as Irrua specialist teaching hospitals in Edo,” he explained.

Agba further disclosed that the Japanese Government had in 2019 provided funding of about $18 million to support in curbing communicable diseases and provide NCDC with equipment.

He said, “The intervention was to be in seven centres in the country. We also tried to ensure that two centres in Edo were covered, Irrua and UBTH. Today, I am here just to see how much progress we have made. We have seen in the media some people saying that President Muhammadu Buhari doesn’t have projects in Edo State. Like they say, if you can’t beat your drum, nobody will beat it for you ” he added.

Wumi/Punch