By Stephen Angbulu
Barely three days after returning from a medical trip in London, the United Kingdom, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will on Friday, May 19, inaugurate the Presidential/VIP Wing of State House Medical Centre, Abuja.
“Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, President Buhari, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Tijjani Umar, will embark on a guided tour of the hospital,” a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, read on Wednesday.
According to the statement titled ‘President Buhari to inaugurate Presidential/VIP Wing Of State House Medical Centre on Friday,’ guests invited to the inauguration ceremony are expected to be seated by 9:00 a.m.
The PUNCH reports that the legacy project, situated within the premises of the Presidential Villa, had its ground-breaking ceremony conducted by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on November 1, 2021.
Spanning a total floor area of 2,485 square metres on a suspended floor with a basement, the hospital, which serves as a specialised Intensive Care Centre, will cater for the President, Vice President, their immediate families and VIPs.
“The Presidential/VIP Wing houses several specialised departments, to be staffed by a team of medical professionals, featuring five consultation rooms dedicated to various specialities, including respiratory, cardiology, ophthalmology, ENT, and general consultation.
“Additionally, the hospital has a specialised X-ray suite equipped with a digital X-ray machine as well as a diagnostic suite encompassing MRI, CT scan, and endoscopy facilities.
“Patients and visitors can enjoy access to a Healing Garden, designed to foster healing, relaxation, and enhancement of overall well-being,” the State House says.
With a total cost amounting to N21bn, the VIP Wing also showcases a Catheterisation Laboratory, two operating rooms for regular procedures, and special procedures such as organ transplants.
Reacting to the development, the State House Permanent Secretary, Umar, said, “We are excited that Mr. President has kindly consented to inaugurate this legacy and transformative project on the cusp of the completion of his two-term tenure as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He added that, “Since the inception of this project in 2021, the State House Management has successfully completed several projects including a Special Care Centre, Biosafety Level 2 Molecular Laboratory, certified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a medium capacity incinerator and the Dental Wing Extension Building at the State House Medical Centre, Asokoro, a block of 2-bedroom flats at the Staff Quarters of the Medical Centre, as well as a 54-seater State House Multi-Purpose Training Centre at the Auditorium.
‘‘The Conference Car Unit workshop and the Modern Fleet Management hub will be commissioned next week.”
On May 13, Saturday PUNCH reported that the dispensary located at the administrative section of the State House had been relocated to the VIP wing of the State House Medical Centre.
Our correspondent observed the evacuation of hospital beds, surgical suction machines, oxygen cylinders, mini theatre light stands, pedal bins, dressing bowls, file cabinets and blood collection tubes, among others.
A medical member of staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the old equipment would be relocated to the old State House Medical Centre in Asokoro as they would not be needed at the VIP section.
The officer said, “We are moving them to the old State House Medical Centre outside.”
According to the State House Management, the Presidential/VIP Wing will coexist with the State House Medical Centre, located in Asokoro, Abuja.
“The medical facility remains committed to providing accessible, well-equipped, and rejuvenated healthcare services, catering to the diverse needs of patients through a range of comprehensive medical treatments,” it said.
Source: The Punch
