Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has been instrumental in transforming Bauchi's healthcare sector since the inception of the fourth republic in 1999. Bauchi State boasts an extensive footprint of public healthcare institutions across its primary, secondary, and tertiary tiers, including the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, one of only four in the country. The centre has been moved to its newly built clinical complex in Ningi local government area and has commenced the digitization of its records and operations.
Bauchi is home to two teaching hospitals: The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) and the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Azare. ATBUTH is witnessing a massive transformation with the development of a new site, including a new state-of-the-art Cancer Treatment, Clinical Trials and Diagnostics Centre worth billions of naira. Additionally, a new Federal Medical Centre in Misau is functional, while two general hospitals, one in Toro LGA and the other in Gamawa LGA, are being revitalized and upgraded.
On July 4, 2026, the Federal Government launched a N10 billion healthcare intervention in Bauchi, targeting 20 primary healthcare centres across 15 LGAs in the state. The aim of the intervention is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality with the provision of essential drugs, medical equipment, maternal kits, ambulances, and tricycle ambulances. The equipment includes suction machines, oxygen concentrators, blood pressure monitors, and newborn care. A total of 17,000 maternity kits were provided for pregnant women to ease their financial burden.
Prof. Pate launched another set of new ambulances to be deployed to Toro and Gamawa General Hospitals, ATBUTH, and the National Obstetric and Fistula Centre Ningi on September 18, 2026. He also unveiled CNG stations in ATBUTH, describing it as a means of ensuring energy security in healthcare facilities. Furthermore, he announced a new site for the development of a new ATBUTH Complex, in a bid to expand the hospital to provide specialized tertiary healthcare services.
The healthcare sector in Bauchi has seen significant employment opportunities, with at least 4,000 youths being employed in different healthcare institutions across the country. Additionally, 40 specialists from Bauchi have been absorbed into the Federal Civil Service through the National Health Fellows programme. Over 12,000 patients have enjoyed free emergency medical services in Bauchi, with over 5,000 indigent pregnant women benefiting from free C-section operations.
In partnership with the Bauchi state government, over 100 primary healthcare centres are being revitalized in the state. The National Hospital in Abuja is being re-invented with a budget of over N500 million for the development of new complexes, a new administrative block, a new cancer diagnostics and treatment centre, new modular clinics and theatres, and a neuroscience centre. Furthermore, World leading net manufacturer, Vestergaad Sarl, announced that Health Textiles Nigeria (FZE) is producing next-generation mosquito nets in Africa.
Prof. Pate, alongside the CEO of Gavi, Dr. Sania Nishtar, announced the injection of $500 million into Nigeria's primary healthcare delivery to accelerate routine vaccine delivery to children, maintain polio eradication, and create a long-term sustainable domestic vaccine financing. These investments have positioned Bauchi as a leader in healthcare, and Prof. Pate as a champion of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration's Renewed Hope agenda.
Key points
- - Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate is transforming Bauchi's healthcare sector with massive investments in facilities, equipment, and personnel. - The healthcare sector in Bauchi has seen significant employment opportunities, with at least 4,000 youths being employed in different healthcare institutions across the country. - Over $500 million has been injected into Nigeria's primary healthcare delivery to accelerate routine vaccine delivery to children and maintain polio eradication.
