By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a series of infrastructure projects to upgrade the National Hospital, Abuja, to a quaternary healthcare institution and establish a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment Centre (NICRAT).
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the Health and Social Welfare Minister, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday after the weekly FEC meeting at the State House, saying the approvals followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to improve healthcare infrastructure and equipment nationwide.
Pate said the National Hospital, established about 25 years ago, had not received the investment in infrastructure and equipment required to fulfil its original vision.
The council approved N18.74 million for the refitting of the hospital’s administrative and management block, with the contract awarded to Visible Construction Limited.
It also approved N64.92 billion for the construction of modular clinics and a theatre complex, with the contract awarded to Strabbing Construction Limited. Pate said the project would provide specialised modular clinics and theatre facilities for various medical specialties.
Another N103 billion contract was approved for the construction of a wing at the hospital, with CBC Global Civil Construction Limited named as the contractor and a completion period of 24 months.
The council further approved N69 billion for the construction of a Neuroscience Institute at the hospital, with the contract awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited.
Pate said the neuroscience facility would provide specialised infrastructure for neurosurgery, radiology, interventional procedures and rehabilitation.
He said the facility would be used to treat conditions including stroke, brain tumours and diseases affecting the brain and nervous system.
“Quality healthcare is not cheap. To have the healthcare system we need, Nigeria has to invest in it,” Pate said.
The minister also announced FEC approval of a N302.3 billion contract for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and inauguration of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment centre.
Pate said the contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited, with a 36-month completion period.
He said the project would strengthen capacity for cancer research, treatment, innovation and professional training.
The new NICRAT facility, he added, would serve as a flagship national institution for cancer research and treatment, with appropriations already made for it in the 2025 and 2026 budgets.
Pate noted that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects were funded through appropriations made by the National Assembly to the relevant agencies and entities, rather than directly through the Federal Ministry of Health.
“Our goal is to ensure that they are executed, and that Nigerians can be able to see a transformation of the National Hospital, as well as a befitting cancer centre here at NICRAT,” Pate added.
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