The Federal Government has inaugurated a Clinical Trial Centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) as part of efforts to strengthen clinical research, innovation and evidence-based healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The facility was inaugurated on Saturday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, during an official visit to the hospital in Bauchi.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Usman Koli, the state-of-the-art centre is designed to enhance clinical research and support the development of innovative healthcare solutions across the country.
During the visit, Pate also flagged off the Federal Government’s distribution of emergency obstetric and newborn care equipment, medical commodities and delivery kits, while inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects at the hospital.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Yusuf Bara, described the Clinical Trial Centre as a significant milestone in the institution’s drive to improve healthcare through quality medical research.
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He said the facility would support research into vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health interventions while providing a platform for training healthcare professionals, promoting scientific collaboration and generating local evidence to address Nigeria’s priority health challenges.
Bara also acknowledged the support of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, noting that their technical assistance and partnership were instrumental in establishing the centre.
He further commended the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Health for prioritising research, innovation and the strengthening of the country’s healthcare system.
According to Bara, the Clinical Trial Centre will position ATBUTH as a leading hub for clinical research, capacity building and collaboration with both local and international partners, ultimately improving patient care and healthcare outcomes nationwide.
He reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to maintaining the facility as a centre of excellence that will promote groundbreaking research, drive innovation and advance its mandate of service delivery, training and research.