The federal government has approved a 50 percent subsidy on electricity tariffs for public hospitals nationwide.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced the subsidy on Thursday during the commissioning of several projects at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital and National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
At the event, Dr. Alausa inaugurated the Electronic Health Records and Alternative Power Supply at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex, as well as a solar power project at the dialysis unit, which includes a solar-powered borehole supported by a 10.2 KVA inverter with a lithium battery at the Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf COVID-19 Intervention Centre within the psychiatric hospital.
The minister also revealed plans to rebrand Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals as ‘specialist hospitals’ to enhance care delivery and reduce stigma, making the facilities more accessible to the public. Despite the name change, the hospitals will continue to focus on psychiatric services while expanding their range of offerings.
Dr. Alausa expressed confidence in the leadership of Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiyau, Chief Medical Director of the psychiatric hospital, praising the hospital’s successes as a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign promises.
Additionally, at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, Dr. Alausa commissioned the Dr. G.O. Adejor Optical Showroom and the Dr. M.B. Alhassan Diagnostic and Laser Unit.
Dr. Aminatu Abdulrahman, Acting Chief Medical Director of the Eye Centre, provided a welcome address, highlighting that the Centre, established in 1979, offers specialist eye care, training, and research. The Centre, located on 514 hectares and with a capacity of 300 beds, handles referrals from all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and neighboring countries. It employs 650 staff members and has served approximately 53,406 outpatients and performed 4,653 surgeries in 2023.
During a press briefing after the commissioning, Dr. Alausa addressed concerns about the ongoing warning strike by resident doctors, which has complicated efforts to secure the release of kidnapped doctor Dr. Ganiyat Popoola from the Eye Centre. He assured that her release is imminent.
Dr. Alausa also noted that despite inheriting challenging conditions, President Tinubu is working with state governments to expand Health Science Universities, aiming to increase annual enrollment in health sciences from 24,000 to 100,000.
