The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has commissioned three landmark healthcare projects in Monguno, Northern Borno, as part of a two-day official visit to the area.
The newly inaugurated facilities include: a state-of-the-art Eye Hospital, a Dental Hospital, and a College of Nursing.
These projects are aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare services and enhancing the capacity of medical personnel across the state.
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Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the healthcare system, especially in underserved areas affected by insurgency and displacement.
Speaking at the events, he described the occasion as ‘an honor and privilege’, noting that for over 50 years since the creation of Borno State, the only public dental and eye hospitals were located in Maiduguri, the state capital.
He explained that his administration had promised to decentralise healthcare delivery and bring affordable, quality services to the doorsteps of communities across the state.
“In fulfillment of that promise, we have established dental and eye hospitals in both the southern senatorial zone, specifically in Biu, and now here in the northern senatorial zone, in Monguno,” Governor Zulum stated.
At the Eye Hospital, the Governor flagged off free medical services for 5,000 patients from Northern Borno, including cataract surgeries.
He narrated the story of a patient who had lived with blindness caused by cataracts for more than 10 years, but who regained sight through surgery at the new hospital.
“Glory be to God, this man can now see again. This is the essence of our work to restore hope and dignity to our people,” the Governor said.
Governor Zulum reminded residents that Borno previously had only one public dental hospital. He said the new facility in Monguno would provide affordable care to thousands in the northern part of the state, while complementing the one in Maiduguri and the new center in Biu.
The Governor also commissioned the College of Nursing in Monguno, underscoring the importance of training local manpower to sustain healthcare projects.
“What matters is not only building facilities but also ensuring the availability of human resources. This School of Nursing will train nurses and midwives who will serve Northern Borno, Southern Borno, and even beyond our borders,” he explained.
The Governor assured the people that his administration will continue to provide facilities, staffing, and accommodation for health workers, while tasking local authorities to identify pressing needs for future interventions.
The Commissioner of Health, Baba Mallum Gana described the hospital as a shining example of the Governor’s achievements.
He explained that between 66 to 70 percent of blindness cases in Borno are caused by cataracts, stressing that ”the new facility will greatly reduce the burden of preventable blindness in the state.”
Residents of Monguno and neighboring communities have welcomed the projects, describing them as a timely intervention that will ease pressure on Maiduguri’s health facilities and improve access to medical services in the region.