China builds 150 bed hospital in Abuja

China has fulfilled a seven year old pledge to build and furnish a 150-bed modern hospital in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The hospital, called Nigerian-Chinese National Hospital was a component of the agreement reached under the China-Africa Cooperation adopted in 2006. Work on the hospital, located at Jabi, started in May 2010. It was finished within a year.

President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at the commissioning today said the US$12.5 million hospital would cater for the medical needs of not only public servants but other members of the public.

He said the construction of the hospital which would serve “very useful purposes in improving the health status of millions of Nigerians, marks yet another milestone in Nigeria — China relationship.”

“In the health sector, we have put in place a solid programme involving the Nigeria Private Health Sector Alliance and the National Food and Drugs Administration and Control to encourage the domestic production of essential medicines.

Jonathan described China as a “very reliable ally” of Nigeria in her development quest for several decades, not just in the health sector but also in other areas of national life.

In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Deng Boqing, said the Chinese government would continue to support Nigeria in achieving its development plan and transformation agenda.

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, pledged that the facility would be maintained to serve its purpose.

He said that the ministry in complementing the effort of China, had built 12 flats to serve as staff quarters for the hospital’s staff.