The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has commissioned several new facilities during a working visit to federal hospitals in Kaduna metropolis, including the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna.
The newly commissioned projects include a 200-seater capacity auditorium, a School of Post-Basic ORL, ENT Specialty Clinic, a state-of-the-art theatre complex, a molecular laboratory, a nursing hostel, oxygen plants, and a new power house.
These facilities are expected to enhance the centre’s capacity for medical services, training, and overall healthcare delivery.
The Medical Director of the National Ear Care Centre, Mustafa Abubakar Yero, expressed appreciation to the Health and Social Welfare and the federal government for its consistent support and funding of the Centres initiatives.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, among others.
In a related development, Alausa inaugurated the National Taskforce on Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) in Abuja yesterday, in line with the ministry’s 4-point agenda, specifically Pillar 2 (Improving Health Outcomes) and Pillar 4 (Health Security).
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a silent yet deadly threat that has taken root globally, including in Nigeria. Nigeria ranks 18th worldwide in AMR-related deaths.
According to the minister, there were 64,500 deaths directly attributable to AMR and 263,400 deaths associated with AMR in 2019. This surpasses fatalities from enteric infections, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, maternal and neonatal disorders, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases.