Nigeria Approves Kano Health Projects to Curb Medical Tourism

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, says seven ongoing mega projects at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) have been approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to curb medical tourism and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

The projects include; the construction and equipping of a cardiothoracic centre, internal road networks within the College of Health Sciences, a students’ hostel at the College of Nursing Sciences, interlocking works at the Department of Radiology, the S. S. Wali Centre and Specialty Clinic Annexe, as well as new classrooms and offices at the School of Health Information Management (SHIM) and a paediatric complex.

Senator Barau explained that “the projects align with President Tinubu’s commitment to improving specialised healthcare services across the country.”

“One of his programmes is to ensure that we improve our healthcare delivery system in this country, particularly our specialised hospitals,” he said.

Senator Barau noted that the projects were part of efforts to make AKTH a world-class facility capable of addressing Nigeria’s medical needs locally.

“What we are doing now, in terms of trying to further develop and make this institution an advanced, specialised hospital, is in tune with the President’s desire for a sound healthcare delivery system,” the Lawmaker said.

Nigeria Can End Medical Tourism

The Deputy Senate President expressed optimism that with sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, Nigerians would soon stop travelling abroad for treatment.

“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 expertise to make our hospitals self-sufficient. From what this institution is doing, that trend will soon be a thing of the past,” Senator Barau stated.

Health Transformation Drive

Senator Barau reaffirmed President Tinubu’s determination to make Nigeria’s healthcare system one of the best in Africa, assuring that the National Assembly would continue to provide legislative support for the administration’s health sector reforms.

“We are all working with Mr President to address the challenges facing our country. What you have seen now is just the beginning. We shall continue to develop this hospital until it becomes the best in West Africa,” he said.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Abdurrahman Abba Shehe, commended the Deputy Senate President for his commitment to ensuring that AKTH becomes the best teaching hospital in Nigeria.

Senator Barau was accompanied by four other Senators; Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila; Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Dandutse; Chairman, Senate Committee on North West Development Commission, Senator Babangida Hussaini; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abdulhamid Malam-Madori.