Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government has approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals nationwide.
This initiative is designed to lower operational costs for these facilities and ease the financial burden on patients.
Speaking at the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, Dr. Alausa also inaugurated several new projects, including the Electronic Health Records system and Alternative Power Supply at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex.
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Additionally, he launched a solarization project at the dialysis unit, featuring a solar-powered borehole and a 10.2 KVA inverter with a lithium battery at the Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf COVID-19 Intervention Centre.
The Minister also revealed plans to rename the hospitals as Specialist Hospitals to enhance healthcare service delivery.
“We are going to change the names of our Federal Hospitals to Specialist Hospitals to expand care delivery and destigmatize hospitals so that everybody can come here. While the core services will remain psychiatric, this re-naming will allow for the continuous expansion of services,” he said.
Dr. Alausa expressed strong confidence in Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiyau, the Hospital Chief Medical Director, highlighting that the hospital’s achievements align with the promises made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his campaign.
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During his visit to the National Eye Care Centre, where he also inaugurated the Dr. G.O Adejor Optical Showroom and the Dr. M.B Alhassan Diagnostic and Laser Unit, Dr. Alausa addressed the complications arising from the Resident Doctors’ warning strike.
He noted that the strike has hindered efforts to secure the release of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a kidnapped member of the hospital staff.
Dr. Alausa appealed for calm and reassured the hospital management that the abducted doctor will be returned safely.
He also discussed plans to address the mass migration of medical professionals by developing strategies to engage medical personnel in the diaspora.
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Despite ongoing structural challenges, Dr. Alausa confirmed that the President is working closely with state governments to expand Health Science Universities, aiming to boost annual health sciences enrollment from 24,000 to 100,000.
Dr. Aminatu Abdulrahman, Acting Chief Medical Director of the National Eye Centre, highlighted that the center, established in 1979, offers specialized eye care services, training, and research.
Covering 514 hectares and equipped with 300 beds, the hospital handles referrals from all 36 states of Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory, and neighboring countries.
In 2023, the center treated approximately 53,406 outpatients and performed 4,653 surgeries, supported by a total of 640 staff members—369 clinical and 281 non-clinical.
