- Vice President Kashim Shettima declares Sahad Hospitals a transformative force in Nigeria’s healthcare, emphasizing the private sector’s critical role
- The commissioning of Sahad Hospitals aims to address healthcare challenges and create job opportunities, attracting over $4.8 billion in investments
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Sahad Hospitals will be a transformative force in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He made this statement on Saturday in Abuja during the hospital’s commissioning and grand opening.
Describing the launch as a historic milestone, Shettima emphasized the critical role of the private sector in addressing healthcare challenges, particularly in light of the brain drain among the country’s medical workforce. He said, “We welcome this intervention, not just because it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda, which is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain, but also because investing in the health sector taps into 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 praised the Sahad brand for its reputation of honesty and reliability, believing that the hospital was built on the same principles. He added 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. “These reforms are anchored on a comprehensive road map designed to address long-standing challenges, with four key pillars: transforming healthcare governance, improving population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and strengthening health security,” Shettima added.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, thanked the founder and chairman of Sahad Hospitals, Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa, 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 federal government’s efforts in improving the quality of healthcare for Nigerians,” Alausa stated.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the government remains committed to providing necessary infrastructure and policy frameworks to enhance healthcare delivery but noted that collaboration with the private sector is essential to achieve these goals. “This is the kind of collaboration that moves the health sector forward, bringing us closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” he remarked.
Dr. Shamsuddeen Aliyu, Executive Vice Chairman of Sahad Hospitals, highlighted the hospital’s capacity, featuring 200 beds, seven operating theaters, 13 dialysis centers, and a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He announced future plans to establish a medical university and nursing school. Dr. Aliyu stressed that the hospital’s services are designed to be accessible and affordable for the average Nigerian, 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, and build strong partnerships with our community and healthcare stakeholders,” he said.
Senator Barau Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, represented by Senator Musa Maidoki, urged Sahad Hospitals to collaborate with non-governmental organizations to ensure displaced persons in the surrounding communities can access its services.
Dr. Muhammad Abdullahi Hardawa, the Chief Medical Director, stated that the hospital is equipped with advanced technology and manpower to help curb medical tourism and contribute to achieving UHC in the country through reduced service costs.