Less than two weeks after he exits the presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to inaugurate the Presidential/VIP Wing of State House Medical Centre in Abuja. The state-of-the-art hospital, which serves as a specialized Intensive Care Centre, is situated within the Presidential Villa. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 19.
Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information, State House, confirmed the inauguration in a statement on Wednesday. He disclosed that the groundbreaking ceremony of the hospital was conducted by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, on November 1, 2021.
With a total floor area of 2,485 square meters and a basement, the hospital incorporates state-of-the-art medical technology and will cater to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, and VIPs. The Presidential/VIP Wing houses several specialized departments with a team of medical professionals: five consultation rooms dedicated to various specialities such as respiratory, cardiology, ophthalmology, ENT, and general consultation. Additionally, the hospital features a specialized X-ray suite equipped with a digital X-ray machine and a diagnostic suite encompassing MRI, CT scan, and endoscopy facilities.
The Healing Garden within the hospital’s premises is designed to provide relaxation and foster healing for patients and visitors. The VIP Wing, which cost N21 billion, was completed on schedule and budget and also offers a Catheterization Laboratory, two operating rooms for regular procedures, and special procedures such as organ transplants.
President Buhari will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Tijjani Umar, on a guided tour of the hospital after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We are excited that Mr President has kindly consented to inaugurate this legacy and transformative project on the cusp of completing his two-term tenure as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Permanent Secretary said.
This hospital is one of several projects completed by State House Management, including a Special Care Centre, Biosafety Level 2 Molecular Laboratory, certified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a medium capacity incinerator, the Dental Wing Extension Building at State House Medical Centre, Asokoro, a block of 2-bedroom flats at the Staff Quarters of the Medical Centre, and a 54-seater State House Multi-Purpose Training Centre at the Auditorium.
The Conference Car Unit (CCU) workshop and the Modern Fleet Management hub will also be commissioned next week, the Permanent Secretary added.
