Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the new 200-bed Sahad Hospital in Abuja, describing it as a transformative addition to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the grand opening on Saturday, Shettima highlighted the significance of the private sector in addressing the ongoing challenges in the nation’s health sector, particularly the issue of brain drain among medical professionals.
Shettima emphasized, “We welcome this intervention, not just because it aligns with the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has demonstrated his commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain, but also because investing in the health sector engages the talents and skills of our citizens. They are creating numerous job opportunities for graduates and technicians. This is a notable asset for national development.”
He commended the Sahad brand for its long-standing reputation for honesty and reliability, stating that these values have been crucial in establishing the hospital. Shettima also mentioned that the administration’s ambitious health sector reforms have already attracted over $4.8 billion in potential investments, signaling a strong commitment to revitalizing the healthcare system.
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“These reforms are anchored on a comprehensive road map designed to address long standing challenges and central to this are four key pillars; transforming healthcare governance, improving population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and strengthening health security,” Shettima added.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, praised Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa, founder and chairman of Sahad Hospitals, for his significant investment in healthcare. “The commissioning of this 200-bed state-of-the-art facility is a testament to the unwavering commitment of a private citizen like our dear brother, Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa, who has taken the bold step to complement the effort of the federal government in improving the quality of healthcare to citizens for Nigerians,” Alausa said.
Alausa also emphasized the need for private sector collaboration to achieve the government’s healthcare goals, including Universal Health Coverage (UHC). “This is the kind of collaboration that moves the health sector forward, bringing us closer to achieving UHC,” he noted.
Dr. Shamsuddeen Aliyu, Executive Vice Chairman of Sahad Hospitals, provided details about the hospital’s facilities, which include seven operating theaters, 13 dialysis centers, and a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He also announced plans to establish a medical university and nursing school in the future.
Dr. Aliyu highlighted the hospital’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable healthcare, with 24-hour emergency services. “As we commission this hospital, we pledge to deliver patient-centered care with empathy and kindness, foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, provide accessible and affordable healthcare, and build strong partnerships with our community and healthcare stakeholders,” he said.
Senator Musa Maidoki, representing the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, encouraged the hospital to work with non-governmental organizations to ensure that displaced persons in the surrounding community can access its services.
Dr. Muhammad Abdullahi Hardawa, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, stated that Sahad Hospital is equipped with advanced technology and skilled personnel capable of reducing medical tourism and supporting the achievement of UHC in Nigeria through its affordable services.
