The Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, has dismissed the proposal to establish a National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Research, and Treatment Centre in Kano, citing existing infrastructure and concerns over financial strain on the government’s resources.
During a public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, Pate highlighted that Nigeria already has federal teaching hospitals and medical centers equipped to handle cardiovascular diseases.
Represented by Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salahudeen, a director from the ministry, the minister argued that establishing a new cardiovascular institute would be redundant and place an additional financial burden on the government, which is actively reducing costs by scaling back on agencies.
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Pate emphasized that the federal teaching hospitals in the North West, such as Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, and Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, are already managing cardiovascular cases effectively. “These existing federal tertiary hospitals have not been overstretched nor reported as underserving the local population,” Pate stated.
He also mentioned the role of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos, which coordinates medical research nationwide, reducing the need for a separate cardiovascular institute. “We already have a robust framework for medical research in the country that aligns with global standards seen in the USA, UK, and Ghana,” he added.
Pate noted that rather than establishing new specialized institutions, the focus should be on strengthening the existing cardiovascular units in federal teaching hospitals. He called for better funding and adequate staffing, especially in light of the current brain drain affecting Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
On the proposal for a new Federal College of Health Technology in Askira-Uba, Adamawa State, Pate explained that health technology training is within state jurisdiction. However, he acknowledged that enhancing training facilities could help increase the availability of skilled health professionals to address emergencies effectively.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, responded by highlighting the critical need for better healthcare infrastructure due to Nigeria’s growing population. Magaji stressed the importance of equitable distribution of health institutions across the country to provide better access to medical services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“The core objective of this hearing is to guide the federal government’s efforts to improve the healthcare sector and ensure training institutions are strategically distributed,” Magaji stated. He also pointed out the challenges posed by the migration of healthcare workers, which has left the nation’s healthcare system struggling with a shortage of skilled personnel.
Magaji concluded by emphasizing the need for significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, human resources, and medical intelligence. He noted, “Addressing the infrastructural deficiencies and improving resource management in existing health facilities are crucial steps towards achieving a thriving healthcare system in Nigeria.”
