The Presidential VIP wing of the State House Clinic in Abuja will be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The VIP wing, which cost N21 billion to build and equip, is billed as a legacy project for the Buhari administration.
On Thursday, the SGF, Boss Mustapha, inaugurated four new projects at the clinic.
A biosafety Level 2 Molecular Laboratory certified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and a medium capacity incinerator donated by the Ecological Project Office, Office of the SGF, were among the projects affected.
The SGF also dedicated the Dental Wing Extension Building and a block of two-bedroom flats at the Clinic’s Staff Quarters.
In his remarks at the event, Mustapha described the projects as among the Buhari administration’s top priorities for providing excellent healthcare services to Nigerians.
According to him, the projects will help to build a people-centered and technology-driven State House Clinic, delivering services and motivating the workforce to address some of the healthcare service delivery challenges.
He praised Tijjani Umar, the State House’s Permanent Secretary, for the projects’ completion and inauguration, as well as his tireless efforts to improve service delivery standards not only at the Clinic, but throughout the State House.
The SGF praised Umar in particular for completing the Dental Wing Extension, which had been left unfinished since 2013, and for embarking on other important projects despite a lack of funds.
He said ‘‘This building’s unique importance lies in the bold statement about the current administration’s commitment to excellence and ensuring that facilities in the State House Clinic are comparable to the best around the world.’’
Mustapha stated that Nigeria had improved its molecular diagnostic capacity by constructing over 200 laboratories across the country, compared to only two such facilities prior to COVID-19.
Mustapha assured that the ongoing construction of the Presidential Wing of the State House Clinic would be completed on time before the end of the Buhari administration.
The Presidential Wing of the State House Clinic is intended to provide Medicare services to the President, Vice President, and their families, as well as other high-level dignitaries.
The Permanent Secretary, State House, thanked the SGF for facilitating the NCDC’s Molecular Laboratory Project and ensuring the donation of a suitable medical incinerator to aid in the disposal of medical waste.
Umar stated, emphasising the significance of medium capacity incinerators: “This donation was almost fortuitous as the existing low-capacity incinerators in the Clinic had seen better days and were continuously breaking down when they were required most.’’
He stated that the completed Dental Wing Extension building enabled the Dental and Radiology departments, as well as the Theatre under the supervision of the Chief Matron, to fully deploy and care for patients.
The Permanent Secretary recalled the renovated two-bedroom apartments, keys to which the SGF gave to two medical personnel: “last December, a tragic fire incident in the Staff Quarters of the Clinic completely destroyed that block of 2nos 2-bedroom flats occupied by the medical staff”.
Mr. Umar expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the State House Clinic’s team of professionals, saying their ‘‘training, qualification and experience have continued to place the Clinic as a destination of choice for patients, interns and various medical personnel seeking care and mentorship.’’
He also thanked the Medical Director, Munir Hussaini-Yakassai, and the clinic staff for their help in turning around the facility, pledging that “there is still much more to do.”
Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of NCDC, pledged that the Centre would continue to provide the necessary support, including maintenance and consumables, for the effective operation of the Molecular Laboratory.
According to him, the laboratory employs cutting-edge technology to investigate infectious agents or toxins linked to human disease.
The SGF also toured the State House Clinic’s newly renovated and expanded Ear, Nose, and Throat, or ENT, Department.
