News Investigators/ Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of two army formations in Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of the state.
The governor gave the commendation on Monday Bauchi while receiving the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate on a courtesy visit.
He said that the federal government’s security intervention in the state had contributed to the restoration of peace and the return of displaced persons to their various communities.
The governor said Bauchi would continue to maintain a cordial relationship with the federal government and support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians.
He also acknowledged other federal government interventions in the state, including the establishment of the University of Health Sciences and Federal Medical Centres among others.
“We cannot play politics with health and education. We cannot play politics with services.
“We are grateful to Mr. President for what he has done for Bauchi, particularly in the areas of health and security,” he said.
Mr Mohammed said that the diagnostic centre would complement the state government’s efforts to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to the people.
Earlier, Prof. Pate said that the federal government had completed 10 diagnostic centres in the country to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Prof. Pate said that the centres were established through the Medical and Diagnostic Services (Med-Serv) initiative and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
The minister said the Bauchi centre, located at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), was among the 10 projects whose foundations were laid about two years ago.
“Two years ago, we laid the foundation for the first one in Bauchi, a world-class radio-diagnostic centre and two years later, that facility has been completed and the 10 facilities all over Nigeria have been completed.
“This marks the largest expansion of health infrastructure and equipment in Nigeria’s history,” he pointed out.
The minister added that three world-class cancer centres had also been completed as part of the federal fovernment’s efforts to expand specialised healthcare services.
He said Bauchi would host the first Inauguration, followed by another centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, while the remaining centres would be commissioned subsequently.
According to him, the projects demonstrate Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s health sector through modern diagnostic equipment, infrastructure, quality healthcare services, training and research.
Prof. Pate said the federal government would continue to collaborate with state governments to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
He added that plans were underway for the establishment of six major multi-specialty hospitals, one in each of the geopolitical zone.
Also speaking, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the diagnostic centre demonstrated how the federal government’s economic reforms were being translated into tangible projects.
He said the reforms were aimed at stabilising the macro-economy, restoring investor confidence and strengthening institutions to create an enabling environment for more developmental projects.
Mr Oyedele stressed the importance of collaboration between the federal and state governments in delivering infrastructure and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
“We will continue to work with Bauchi State and all the states to turn macroeconomic stability into tangible outcomes for our people; better healthcare, better infrastructure and a more productive economy,” he said.
