From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi to a teaching hospital to serve as the clinical training facility for medical students of the College of Health Sciences, Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK). This is contained in a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor of FUBK dated 13th March, 2024 signed by Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.
Head of Information and Public Relations (PRO) Jamilu Magaji Muhammed made the statement available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
“This approval is a further testament to the passion and commitment of Mr President aimed at ensuring that Nigerians get the best healthcare at an affordable cost, and to increase much-needed human resources for health in our country,” the letter reads in part.
The minister mandated the FUBK to engage the management of the Federal Medical Centre, now to be known as Federal University Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi to enhance their facilities for teaching and research with their premises.
The Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar expressed delight over the development and said the university would do everything possible to consolidate the gains that the upgrade provides. He thanked all stakeholders who contributed to making this feat possible.
It was leant that the university has set up a committee under the Chairmanship of the former Vice Chancellor of FUBK and current Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Katsina State, Prof. B.B Shehu to work out modalities for implementing the upgrade. The Committee is co-chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of FUBK, Prof. Aliyu A. Turaki.