FG Approves N558bn Projects to Upgrade National Hospital, Construct Cancer Center

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved infrastructure projects worth more than N558 billion for the National Hospital, Abuja, and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT).

The approvals are part of the Federal Government’s efforts to upgrade specialised healthcare infrastructure and strengthen the country’s capacity for advanced medical treatment, research and training.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting.

According to The Nation, Pate said the National Hospital, which was established about 25 years ago, had not received sufficient investment in infrastructure and equipment to fulfil its original vision.

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He said the latest approvals followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to improve healthcare infrastructure and equipment across the country.

Among the projects approved by the council is N18.74 million for the refitting of the National Hospital’s administrative and management block. The contract was awarded to Visible Construction Limited.

FEC also approved N64.92 billion for the construction of modular clinics and a theatre complex at the hospital, with Strabbing Construction Limited named as the contractor.

According to Pate, the project will provide specialised modular clinics and theatre facilities for various medical specialties.

The council further approved N103 billion for the construction of a new wing at the hospital. The contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil Construction Limited and is expected to be completed within 24 months.

Another N69 billion was approved for the construction of a Neuroscience Institute at the National Hospital.

The project, awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited, will provide specialised facilities for neurosurgery, radiology, interventional procedures and rehabilitation.

Pate said the institute would strengthen the country’s capacity to treat conditions including stroke, brain tumours and other diseases affecting the brain and nervous system.

Defending the scale of investment in healthcare infrastructure, the minister said, “Quality healthcare is not cheap. To have the healthcare system we need, Nigeria has to invest in it.”

The council also approved a N302.3 billion contract for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and inauguration of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment centre.

Pate said the contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited and would be completed within 36 months.

He said the new facility would expand Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research, treatment, innovation and professional training.

According to him, the centre is expected to serve as a flagship national institution for cancer research and treatment, with funding provisions already made in the 2025 and 2026 national budgets.

Pate explained that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects were being funded through appropriations made by the National Assembly to the relevant agencies and entities, rather than directly through the Federal Ministry of Health.

“Our goal is to ensure that they are executed, and that Nigerians can be able to see a transformation of the National Hospital, as well as a befitting cancer centre here at NICRAT,” Pate added.