The Federal Government has announced its intention to provide health insurance to fifty million Nigerians over the next four years.

Vice President Kashim Shettima stated this at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital’s (UMTH) fortieth anniversary celebration.

Senator Shettima said that one of the key goals of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope program is to achieve universal health coverage by ensuring that all Nigerians have equitable access to healthcare.

VP Shettima, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas Kolo, assured that Nigerians will have access to quality healthcare services through a strengthen primary and secondary health facilities.

“We will proactively expand insurance coverage, the Government commits to reach at least minimum of 50 million Nigerians by 2027.”

He stressed that the main focus of President Tinubu’s health agenda will include, health governance, leadership and institutional reforms, health financing and reduce out of pocket spending, integrated healthcare delivery, ensure local manufacturing of health products, expand investment on medical education, reverse brain drain and medical tourism.

Kashim Shettima also declared that the Federal Government has approved the payment of Resident Doctor Allowances.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum congratulated the Teaching Hospital on reaching a significant milestone in the health sector.

He called on the hospital to embrace smart medicine through the use of artificial intelligence, technology and data science to upgrade its services.

Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, indicated that over the last forty years, the hospital has served over thirty-three million individuals, boosting patronage by 150 percent.

Former of minster of Health Professor Isaac Adewole called on the management of the hospital to focus on training of medical professionals in areas of cancer, kidney and heart to take care of special needs of people in the region and beyond.

High point of the event was the inauguration of legacy projects including the Child Institute as well as foundation laying ceremony of Heart and ICT Centers.