THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved several major infrastructure projects for the National Hospital, Abuja, as part of plans to upgrade the facility into a quaternary healthcare institution capable of providing highly specialised and complex medical care.
News Point Nigeria reports that a quaternary healthcare institution represents the highest level of specialised healthcare, with a focus on advanced research, experimental medicine and the treatment of rare and complex medical conditions.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed the approvals while briefing State House correspondents on Wednesday after the weekly FEC meeting, saying the National Hospital, which was established about 25 years ago, had not received the level of investment in infrastructure and equipment required to fulfil its original vision.
Pate said the latest approvals followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to improve healthcare infrastructure and equipment across the country.
According to him, the council approved ₦18.74 million for the refitting of the hospital’s administrative and management block, with the contract awarded to Visible Construction Limited.
The minister also said FEC approved ₦64.92 billion for the construction of modular clinics and a theatre complex, with the contract awarded to Strabbing Construction Limited.
He explained that the project would provide specialised modular clinics and theatre facilities for various medical specialties.
Pate further disclosed that a ₦103 billion contract was approved for the construction of a new wing at the hospital, with the contract awarded to CBC Global Civil Construction Limited and a completion period of 24 months.
He said FEC also approved ₦69 billion for the construction of a Neuroscience Institute at the National Hospital, with the contract awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited.
According to the minister, the neuroscience facility will provide specialised infrastructure for neurosurgery, radiology, interventional procedures and rehabilitation, while also supporting the treatment of conditions such as stroke, brain tumours and other 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 further disclosed that FEC approved a ₦302.3 billion contract for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and inauguration of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) centre.
He said the contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited, with a completion period of 36 months.
Pate said the project would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research, treatment, innovation and professional training.
He added that the new NICRAT facility would serve as a flagship national institution for cancer research and treatment, noting that appropriations had already been made for the project in the 2025 and 2026 budgets.
The minister explained that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects are 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.