Army builds referral hospital in Maiduguri
The increasing number of casualties among troops fighting the insurgency and terror war in the NorthEast has necessitated the construction of a referral hospital in Maiduguri by the Nigerian Army.
The 200-bed military healthcare facility is the second Nigerian Army referral hospital in the country, coming after the 44 referral hospital, Kaduna, which has been upgraded to a United Nations Level 4 hospital.
"This hospital is a remarkable mark of the
Nigerian Army's commitment to the healthcare and the general welfare of its officers and personnel fighting the insurgency and terror war and militancy," the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday in Maiduguri.
He said as the Nigerian Army continues to record casualties in the insurgency in the NorthEast, the Maiduguri tertiary healthcare facility would reduce the persistent stress on the Kaduna facility, where the casualties are always evacuated to.
The COAS said it would also save casualties the stress they suffer during their evacuation from the NorthEast theater terror war to the Kaduna facility.
Gen. Buratai, who stressed that the hospital was aimed at addressing the medical challenges arising from the insurgency and terror war, as well as militancy and other related crimes, assured that it would be staffed and equipped to meet international standards.
He said the hospital would serve not only the troops but also the civil populace in the region.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr Babagana Wakkil, expressed delight that the hospital, which would serve not only troops but also the civil populace, would strengthen the military-civilian cordial relationship in the region.
The hospital comprises General Outpatient, VIP, Children and Studio wards; Accident, Emergency and Surgery units; Pharmacy, Mortuary and Admin Block; Maintenance Unit, Power House and a Gas Plant, among other components.