The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has intensified its health initiatives in Borno State with an inspection of newly installed ophthalmology equipment at Maiduguri Eye Hospital.
The inspection took place on Monday at the hospital, where equipment valued at over ₦3 billion was installed to enhance specialist eye-care services across the North-East.
Mohammed Goni Alkali, MD/CEO of NEDC, noted that the hospital had been assessed by the commission around two years ago. He highlighted that the facility, built in the 1970s, faced significant challenges due to outdated infrastructure and medical equipment.
“The commission resolved to support this hospital and other health institutions in the region to improve service delivery and operational efficiency,” Alkali said. “It was important not only to provide modern equipment but also to ensure proper installation and professional training for the staff.”
Last year, the commission handed over advanced ophthalmology equipment to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State for deployment to Maiduguri Eye Hospital. Alkali expressed satisfaction that the machines, delivered in components, have now been fully installed and are operational.
The new equipment includes state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical machines capable of performing laser eye surgeries and other advanced ophthalmic procedures.
In addition, NEDC launched a two-week training program on the set-up and use of the ophthalmology equipment. Running until January 24, the program is in collaboration with Zaramat Global Company Limited and aims to ensure proper usage and maintenance of the equipment.
The training sessions are being led by Prof. Abdull Mohammed Mahdi and Dr. Abuh Sunday, both chief consultants in ophthalmology, alongside specialists in ophthalmology and biomedical engineering from across the country.
Participants include consultant ophthalmologists, resident doctors, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists, and biomedical engineers from Maiduguri Eye Hospital and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The program is already improving patient care, particularly for cataract and glaucoma cases, and is enhancing the hospital’s capacity to deliver modern eye-care services.
Alkali further revealed that a sector-wide assessment showed only one functional MRI machine in the entire North-East, located in Yobe State and over 15 years old. “We have approved MRI machines for all teaching hospitals in the region, and most of the equipment has already been ordered,” he said, adding that delivery is expected within the next one to two months.
Beyond Borno, NEDC is undertaking similar health interventions across the region, including the construction of an ultra-modern Eye Institute at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.
The commission’s integrated approach combines infrastructure upgrades, deployment of modern equipment, and human-capacity development. Officials said the interventions aim to expand access to specialist healthcare, reduce avoidable blindness, and strengthen tertiary health institutions across the North-East.
