*ABUTH Has Grown into a National Referral Centre Under My Leadership *CMD Hails Tinubu as Maternal Mortality Rate Falls by 90% By Ammar M. R...
*ABUTH Has Grown into a National Referral Centre Under My Leadership
*CMD Hails Tinubu as Maternal Mortality Rate Falls by 90%
*CMD Hails Tinubu as Maternal Mortality Rate Falls by 90%
By Ammar M. Rajab
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, Professor Ahmed Hamidu Umdagas, has outlined a series of significant accomplishments and persisting challenges encountered under his stewardship. He made these remarks in an exclusive interview with a select group of journalists, including our correspondent, in his office at the hospital.
Appointed in 2019 and reappointed in 2023, Professor Umdagas expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire hospital workforce, crediting the institution’s progress to the collective dedication of its staff rather than individual effort.
“I am not the sole architect of the success being celebrated. This is the outcome of teamwork. I do not run this hospital alone—my colleagues and I collaborate daily to meet the health needs of the patients who entrust us with their care,” he emphasised.
Upon assuming office in 2019, ABUTH was grappling with multiple systemic and infrastructural issues. In response, Prof. Umdagas convened a multidisciplinary team to develop a strategic plan aimed at revitalizing hospital operations and enhancing clinical care delivery.
One of the most transformative initiatives under his leadership was the decentralisation of emergency services into two distinct units: the Medical Emergency Unit (MEU) – for non-surgical emergencies such as hypertensive crises, diabetic emergencies, and severe malaria; and the Surgical Emergency Unit (SEU) – for acute surgical conditions and trauma cases.
“Previously, all emergency cases were managed in a single 70-bed unit. We have now reorganised and expanded our capacity to accommodate up to 100 emergency patients simultaneously, significantly improving triage and care efficiency,” he said.
He cited a case involving 30 trauma patients from a mass casualty incident who were attended to simultaneously, with only one fatality.
“That incident occurred at night. The response by our clinical team was swift and commendable,” he recalled.
Professor Umdagas noted that ABUTH is one of only two tertiary institutions in Nigeria offering a Residency Programme in Emergency Medicine, the other being the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). A newly constructed Trauma Centre is also set for commissioning before the end of the year.
“We don’t believe in ceremonial commissioning. Once a facility is inaugurated, it must be immediately functional and sustainably operated,” he added.
The hospital’s diagnostic capabilities have received a major boost with the acquisition of a 1.5 Tesla and 0.2 Tesla MRI scanner, as well as a 128-slice CT scanner.
“The MRI machine, valued at $1.2 million when supplied by the Federal Government, is now worth over ₦3 billion. No other government-owned tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria has this level of diagnostic sophistication,” he said.
The Labour and Delivery Suite has been upgraded, in part through support from former Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmad Shamsuna.
“We’ve also embarked on a hospital-wide sanitation overhaul. When I assumed office, poor sewage management had led to pervasive foul odours. Rehabilitation of the entire waste management system is ongoing, but results are evident,” he noted.
In December 2019, an internal audit projected that the hospital required ₦11.2 billion for full modernisation. At that time, ₦2.3 billion was released by the Federal Government, with an exchange rate of less than ₦360 to the dollar.
“However, the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing currency devaluation significantly altered our financial landscape. Despite these setbacks, we still managed to execute critical projects and procure essential medical equipment,” he said. He stressed that even ₦9 billion today would not suffice to complete the originally envisioned upgrades due to inflationary pressures.
ABUTH operates six campuses: Shika (main campus), Tudun Wada, Ban Zazzau, Sabon Gari, Yakawada, and the Federal Secretariat.
The CMD highlighted delayed hospital presentations as a major clinical challenge. “Many patients arrive only at terminal stages, often after depleting all financial options. Expectations for miraculous recoveries under such conditions are unrealistic. Early intervention improves outcomes,” he urged.
Power supply remains a major operational burden, with the hospital spending an estimated ₦70 million monthly on electricity, excluding diesel for generators. “This explains why we collect token operational fees despite being a public hospital. Our services are structured around cost-recovery to ensure sustainability,” he stated.
He also cited understaffing and inadequate infrastructure as ongoing problems, although recent approvals from the Federal Government have allowed for gradual recruitment.
“Funding delays from government sources, particularly for capital projects, remain a concern. However, I am optimistic that these issues will be resolved,” he added.
Upon taking office, ABUTH had approximately 1,840 staff and 750 beds at the Shika campus. Staffing was especially thin during night shifts. “Thanks to yearly recruitment approvals, we’ve added over 580 staff just last year, spanning clinical, diagnostic, administrative, and support roles,” he said.
He also emphasised the hospital’s commitment to continuous medical education, with many staff participating in training, workshops, and professional certifications funded by the hospital.
“We now have over 1,000 functional beds. Upon completion of ongoing renovations, both capacity and reputation will improve substantially,” he affirmed.
Among the administration’s innovations is the establishment of a private ward for high-net-worth individuals, which will provide premium medical services in a dedicated environment. “This unit is expected to be completed before the end of the year and will enhance our revenue and service offerings,” he said.
On the Federal Government’s Free Maternal Healthcare Initiative, Prof. Umdagas confirmed that the programme is already in full swing at ABUTH. “We offer free antenatal diagnostics, Caesarean sections, and treatment for select obstetric conditions. Since the initiative launched in May, we’ve seen a 90% reduction in maternal mortality,” he disclosed.
In closing, Prof. Umdagas lauded the Federal Government for its ongoing support and revealed that a comprehensive Oncology Centre is in the pipeline, with funding already earmarked.
“This planned Cancer Centre will offer cutting-edge care for oncology patients across Northern Nigeria and further enhance ABUTH’s status as a national referral centre,” he concluded.
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