Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday, inaugurated newly built eye and dental hospitals alongside a mega secondary school in Biu Local Government Area, marking a significant boost to healthcare and education in the state.
The 40-bed eye hospital, equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical facilities, is aimed at addressing the rising need for ophthalmological care in Southern Borno. Zulum also announced the appointment of a team of specialist doctors to provide treatment for conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Similarly, the 30-bed dental hospital will offer a full range of oral healthcare services, including preventive care, orthodontics, and restorative treatments, eliminating the need for residents to travel long distances for dental care.
Speaking at the inauguration, Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Borno residents.
“Healthcare is one of the cardinal pillars of Borno State’s 25-Year Development Plan and the 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative. In line with this, we allocated 15% of the state’s budget to the health sector for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, as recommended by the Abuja Declaration on healthcare financing,” he said.
The Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, Prof. Abubakar Ali Kullima, noted that the hospitals would serve both as healthcare centres and training facilities for medical professionals.
He added that free ophthalmic surgeries would commence immediately for residents in Southern Borno.
As part of his development drive, the governor also commissioned a mega secondary school in Miringa, about 10km from Biu town. The school, designed to accommodate over 1,300 students, features 60 classrooms, an ICT centre, and four laboratories to enhance learning.
To support students, Zulum distributed free textbooks, exercise books, uniforms, school sandals, and bicycles for those coming from nearby villages.
Meanwhile, Zulum has approved funds for the construction of five new general hospitals in Askira Uba, Magumeri, Gubio, Mafa, and Dikwa local government areas.
Announcing the development at the hospital commissioning ceremony, the governor said, “To strengthen our healthcare infrastructure, the Borno State Government has awarded contracts for the construction of modern general hospitals in Uba, Gubio, Magumeri, Mafa, and Dikwa.”
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to address manpower shortages in the state’s healthcare sector.
“We recognize that a resilient healthcare system requires more than just infrastructure. We are launching a multidimensional initiative to attract, train, retain, and develop skilled healthcare professionals. This includes collaborations with educational institutions and talent development programmes,” Zulum added.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana, disclosed that Borno is the first state in Nigeria to establish eye and dental hospitals in all its senatorial zones.
“These hospitals are staffed with specialists capable of handling advanced ophthalmological and dental cases, providing care not just for Biu but for patients across the state and beyond,” he said.
