By Public Relations Unit
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Professor Thairu Yunusa, has charged the contractor handling the renovation and upgrade of the hospital’s Infectious Disease Centre to ensure the timely completion of the project while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
Professor Yunusa gave the directive during an inspection visit to assess the progress of work at the facility in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Head of the Public Relations Unit, Mallam Sani Suleiman, the CMD emphasized the strategic importance of the project in strengthening Nigeria’s preparedness for future public health emergencies.
He noted that the ongoing renovation is in line with the Federal Government’s directive aimed at enhancing pandemic preparedness and improving the nation’s capacity to respond effectively to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Professor Yunusa expressed satisfaction with the level of work completed so far but stressed the need for the contractor to adhere strictly to the project timeline to ensure the facility becomes operational as scheduled.
“The Infectious Disease Centre is a critical component of our healthcare infrastructure. We expect the contractor to deliver quality work within the agreed timeframe so that the facility can serve its intended purpose of protecting lives and supporting national health security,” he said.
The CMD explained that upon completion, the centre would be fully equipped with modern medical facilities and technologies required for the diagnosis, isolation, treatment, and management of infectious diseases.
He added that the hospital has already invested in training healthcare professionals and mobilizing the necessary human and material resources needed to respond to outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola, Lassa fever, COVID-19, and other emerging health threats.
Professor Yunusa also highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that investments in critical health infrastructure remain a key priority.
He recalled that UATH played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic after being designated as one of the country’s Infectious Disease Centres, successfully managing numerous cases and contributing to national response efforts.
The CMD expressed confidence that the upgraded facility would further enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide specialized care, improve disease surveillance, and support emergency response interventions.
The statement added that the completion of the Infectious Disease Centre will significantly boost Nigeria’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to future disease outbreaks, thereby strengthening the country’s overall public health system.
