Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved an additional ₦200 million for the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, in Hawul Local Government Area, raising the state government’s total support for the institution to ₦400 million.
The Governor announced the intervention during an inspection visit to the federal health institution, where he commended its rapid growth and expanding range of specialist healthcare services barely six months after commencing full clinical operations.
Governor Zulum said the hospital had recorded significant achievements within a short period, attending to about 4,000 patients and performing more than 300 major orthopaedic surgeries, including hip and knee replacements as well as spinal procedures.
“As Governor of Borno State, I will continue to support this institution. I had earlier promised ₦50 million, but today I am announcing an additional ₦200 million to further strengthen the hospital,” he said.
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The governor recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of the hospital about a year ago and noted that despite the absence of capital releases and overhead funding from the Federal Government, the institution had continued to make remarkable progress.
“The hospital began operations only about six months ago, yet its achievements have been outstanding despite not receiving capital releases or overhead funding. This demonstrates what commitment and visionary leadership can accomplish,” Zulum stated.
He attributed the institution’s rapid development to the dedication of its management, led by the Medical Director, Dr Ramat, with support from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the Borno State Government, which had earlier provided ₦200 million to support its take-off.
Although established primarily as an orthopaedic referral centre, the governor noted that the hospital has expanded its services to include obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and other specialist medical services.
He also commended the hospital for successfully carrying out complex medical procedures, including hip replacement surgeries, treatment of severe fractures and spinal operations, adding that it now serves patients from across the North-East and neighbouring Cameroon.
“Apart from its core orthopaedic services, the hospital now offers gynaecology, paediatrics and other specialist medical care. We have witnessed successful hip replacement surgeries, major fracture treatments and spinal surgeries being performed here,” he said.
Governor Zulum praised the Federal Government, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the management of the National Orthopaedic Hospital for their contributions to the institution’s growth.
“We appreciate the commitment of Dr Ramat and her team, the Federal Government, the Minister of Health and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for providing the leadership that has transformed this hospital into a functional referral centre,” he stated.
The Governor emphasised that although the hospital is a Federal Government institution, it plays a critical role in delivering specialised healthcare services to residents of Borno State, the wider North-East region and neighbouring Cameroon.
He stressed that stronger collaboration among all tiers of government remains essential to improving healthcare delivery and expanding access to specialist medical services.
