Korede Abdullah in Lagos
In a strategic move to rebuild health infrastructure in Borno State’s conflict-affected regions, the state government has partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) and secured funding from the European Union (EU) to expand Monguno Specialist Hospital.
The foundation-laying ceremony, held on 12 May 2025, marked a major step in the state’s post-conflict health recovery agenda.
The upgraded facility will feature expanded inpatient and outpatient services, maternal and child health units, and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, who represented Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur at the event, described the initiative as “a critical investment in healthcare delivery.”
He added, “This expansion will improve service delivery, reduce overcrowding, and ensure better care, particularly for women and children.”
The Monguno hospital is expected to serve nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) and neighboring cross-border communities in Chad and the Niger Republic, positioning it as a regional health hub.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo emphasized the project’s broader impact, stating, “Access to essential health services is a fundamental right. This project demonstrates our shared commitment to reaching people in remote and underserved communities.”
The expansion is part of a wider reconstruction effort, including a recent similar project in Biu, aimed at restoring healthcare access for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations.
Commissioner of Reconstruction, Arc Isa Halidu Garba, summed up the initiative’s intent: “This is part of our plan to rebuild essential health infrastructure and restore hope in communities affected by years of insecurity.”
