The Federal Government has pledged to support the training of workers in teaching hospitals and other tertiary health institutions to tackle emerging challenges in healthcare delivery.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima gave the assurance when he received the management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, on Wednesday at the presidential villa, Abuja.

He said enhanced healthcare delivery is a top priority in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr Shettima commended the current management of the institution “for the giant strides recorded over the years.”

He also assured of the government’s commitment to support human capacity development in hospitals across the country.

He said, “Training is essential; we will explore all available windows to support the Maiduguri teaching hospital and other teaching hospitals in the country in the training of their personnel. We will see how our partnership with the private sector can be helpful in this regard.

“I want to commend the CMD and his team for providing quality leadership to the hospital and all of their subordinates. There have been remarkable improvements at the hospital since his assumption of duty. In terms of staff morale, capacity building and the general outlook of the teaching hospital, the improvements have been massive.

“The expansion of the hospital from a 600-bed to a 1305-bed facility and equipped with modern facilities, the CMD has been proactive in all that he does, including sourcing for external funding.”

Earlier, Mr Ahidjo said the visit was to thank the vice-president for the support to the institution and to present the scorecard of the hospital, as well as future plans.

The CMD said with the support of government and other stakeholders, the hospital is now equipped with state-of-the-art machines.

He said that besides building new centres for Trauma, Dialysis, Cancer and Stroke treatment, among others, the hospital has 100 professors in different areas of specialties.

He, however, requested more support to enable the institution to actualise its objectives of being an international centre of excellence in healthcare delivery.

Other members of the delegation include the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Sanusi Ibrahim, Director of Administration, Malam Idris Omar and the Director of Clinical Services, Prof. Modu Kagu.

(NAN)