In a bid to lessen their financial obligations, President Bola Tinubu has approved a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals and educational institutions in the country.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday shortly after inaugurating projects at the National Ear Care Centre.
The projects include a 200-capacity auditorium, student hostel, oxygen plant, molecular laboratory, powerhouse, ENT specialists clinic, operating theatre, and female/children ward.
According to Alausa, the subsidy is part of the President’s efforts to support the health and education sectors, and will soon be implemented by the Minister of Power.
According to him the subsidy is expected to significantly reduce energy tariffs for public hospitals, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, enabling them to channel more resources into providing quality services.
The minister said the move demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly in the critical areas of health and education.
According to him, with the subsidy, public hospitals will be able to provide better healthcare services, while educational institutions will be able to focus on providing quality education to Nigerian students.
Alausa said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), I spoke about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on his magnanimity toward the health sector.
“The President has approved a 50 per cent electricity subsidy to all public hospitals and education system – universities, polytechnic and colleges of education. It has been approved. The process of implementation is being developed by the Minister of Power
“Very soon, hospital and public education systems will be enjoying a significant reduction in the prices they are paying currently for energy tariff.”
Earlier, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, congratulated the Centre’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Abubakar Yaro, for his leadership and dedication to transforming the centre.
He also commended the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, for his vision, guidance, and support to the centre, expressing optimism that the centre would continue to enjoy the support of the parent ministry.
According to the governor, the projects are a testament to the government’s priority on the health and wellness of its citizens.
He assured the minister that the state government would continue to support the centre’s growth and development to ensure that Nigerians receive the best possible healthcare services.
“The projects being commissioned today, including a 200-capacity auditorium, student hostel, oxygen plant, molecular laboratory, powerhouse, ENT specialists clinic, operating theatre, and female/children ward, are a testament to the judicious deployment of resources towards improving healthcare services in line with the current administration priority placed on the health and wellness of our citizens.
“I must acknowledge the remarkable progress that the National Ear Care Centre has made under the leadership of Dr Abubakar Yaro. His commitment to excellence and results is evident in the transformation of this specialist hospital into a center of innovation and efficiency.
“I assure you that the Kaduna State Government will continue to collaborate with the centre to further enhance its capabilities as a center of excellence in ENT, head and neck, and research in the country and West Africa.
“I congratulate the minister for his vision, guidance, and support to the centre. I am optimistic that the centre will continue to enjoy the support of the parent ministry as it continues to carry out its mandate.”
The governor added that the National Ear Care Centre, established in 1999, had over the years played a crucial role in providing specialised care, training healthcare professionals, and conducting research in ENT diseases.
