Maiduguri, To strengthen health infrastructure in conflict-affected areas of Borno State, the Government of Borno, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with funding support from the European Union (EU), has launched the expansion of Monguno Specialist Hospital.
The foundation-laying ceremony, held on 12 May 2025, marks a significant milestone in the State’s healthA system recovery agenda. The upgraded hospital will include new inpatient wards, outpatient consultation rooms, maternal and child health units, and ehanced water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
The initiative is part of the Borno State Government’s broader health sector transformation strategy, which seeks to position Monguno as a regional health hub serving nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) and reaching cross-border communities in Chad and the Niger Republic.
Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, described the expansion as a critical investment in healthcare delivery.
“This expansion will improve service delivery, reduce overcrowding, and ensure better care, particularly for women and children,” he said. He expressed appreciation to WHO and the EU for their continued support.
Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, reiterated WHO’s commitment to equitable access to healthcare.
“Access to essential health services is a fundamental right,” Dr Mulombo said. “This project demonstrates our shared commitment to reaching people in remote and underserved communities. With the leadership of the Borno State Government and the financial support of the EU, we are working together to rebuild health systems and save lives.”
The expansion in Monguno follows a similar initiative recently launched in Biu, in southern Borno. These projects are part of coordinated efforts to rebuild health services for displaced populations and vulnerable communities across the state.The upgraded Monguno Specialist Hospital is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Once operational, it will provide lifesaving services to thousands of people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, in a region grappling with poverty, malnutrition, and damaged infrastructure.
Arc Isa Halidu Garba, Commissioner of the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, highlighted the broader significance of the project.
“This is part of our plan to rebuild essential health infrastructure and restore hope in communities affected by years of insecurity,” he said.
In addition to infrastructure support, WHO backed by the EU and other partners continues to support the state in critical areas such as disease surveillance, health worker training, and delivery of essential health services.
