Borno State Government has commenced the construction of a 100-bed General Hospital in Kwaya Kusar Local Council as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare services across the state.

The multi-million-naira facility is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery in the council and complement the existing General Hospital, which will be remodelled, upgraded and equipped with modern medical facilities.

Governor Babagana Zulum said the existing hospital would continue to provide healthcare services to residents of Kwaya Kusar and neighbouring communities while construction of the new facility progresses.

To strengthen the workforce, the governor approved the immediate recruitment of one nurse, five Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and two medical records officers for the hospital.

The approvals were announced during Zulum’s ongoing working tour of five local councils in Southern Borno, where he inspected several ongoing projects, including a 48-classroom Higher Islamic College in Shani, a 36-classroom Mega School in Marama, a 48-classroom Integrated Mega School in Shaffa, a 100-bed General Hospital in Shaffa and the General Hospital in Briyel.

Expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work by contractors, the governor pledged to ensure the completion and sustainability of all ongoing projects. “We will ensure that all the projects started are completed. We will also establish institutional arrangements that will guarantee the sustainability of these projects,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state government has upgraded the health facility in Biu township into a fully equipped specialist hospital to improve access to specialised healthcare services in Southern Borno.

Zulum announced the upgrade during a visit to the Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB), where he inspected two blocks of 12-bedroom staff quarters constructed by the state government for the institution.

He also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the establishment of a College of Medical Sciences at the university to expand opportunities for Borno indigenes to study medicine and allied health courses.

“We are building another befitting 150-bed hospital in Biu. When completed and added to the existing facility, it will have a combined capacity of between 300 and 400 beds,” the governor said.

“We are upgrading the hospital to provide the services required for the Nigerian Army University to establish a College of Medical Sciences. By next year, the university will admit its first set of medical students. The specialist hospital will also serve the remaining eight local councils in Southern Borno.”

Zulum also announced the automatic employment of 17 volunteer nurses serving at the General Hospital in Biu and assured residents that additional medical personnel would be recruited to further strengthen healthcare delivery in the area.