President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned a series of major healthcare infrastructure projects across Nigeria and launched 145 tricycle ambulances as part of efforts to improve emergency medical services and expand access to quality healthcare nationwide.
The projects, unveiled on Friday to mark the third anniversary of the administration, span primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities across the six geopolitical zones and are aimed at improving health outcomes for Nigerians.
This was contained in a statement on Friday, by Ado Barko, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations.
Speaking during the nationwide commissioning, President Tinubu described the initiatives as a significant milestone in his administration’s healthcare renewal agenda and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens.
“We are determined to give Nigerians the kind of care that, for too long, only those who could travel abroad enjoyed,” the President said.
He stressed the need for a unified emergency response system capable of serving communities across the country, from remote rural areas to major urban centres.
“From rural Sokoto to the Delta creeks and the streets of Lagos, our emergency response system must work as one national structure,” he added.
The President commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state governments, development partners, and federal teaching hospitals for implementing the projects.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the projects represent measurable progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030 under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
According to him, the administration has pursued a deliberate strategy that combines infrastructure development with strengthened prevention programmes, immunisation services, maternal healthcare and quality primary healthcare delivery.
“The facilities commissioned today reflect a deliberate effort to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare system for long-term service delivery,” Pate said.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the commissioning as another milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and bring lifesaving services closer to citizens.
He said the event featured the official launch of NEMSAS assets, including 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, emergency communication systems and dispatch equipment designed to improve pre-hospital care nationwide.
“The investments reflect a bold national vision where no Nigerian should lose their life because structured medical help could not reach them in time,” Salako stated.
The minister disclosed that the projects commissioned include Emergency Operations Centres in Kano, Sokoto and Katsina states; the Lagos Vaccine Hub; primary healthcare infrastructure in Delta State; the Trauma Centre at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital; the Mental Health Complex at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; the Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre in Bauchi; the Laboratory Complex at University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Complex at Federal Medical Centre.
Salako further revealed that more than 100 projects have been lined up to commemorate the administration’s third anniversary, with selected projects across the six geopolitical zones chosen for presidential commissioning.
He noted that the government has expanded health insurance coverage by over 33 per cent, revitalised more than 4,000 primary healthcare centres, established 15 new federal tertiary health institutions, and delivered over 500 specialised healthcare facilities, including cancer treatment and diagnostic centres.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the newly launched ambulances would be deployed to primary healthcare centres, particularly in rural communities, to enhance emergency response and referral services.
She explained that trained drivers and healthcare personnel would accompany the ambulances to ensure prompt medical intervention when needed.
Kachollom expressed confidence that the sector would continue to witness significant improvements under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that emergency communication systems would also be strengthened to improve coordination and patient referrals across healthcare facilities.
Abuja Times reports that the commissioning ceremony was attended by senior officials of the ministry, stakeholders, and representatives of agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.