The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has unveiled a state-of-the-art laboratory complex at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi State.
The facility was constructed under the company’s flagship Hospital Support Programme (HSP), a national initiative aimed at strengthening medical infrastructure across Nigeria.
During the commissioning on Thursday, NLNG’s Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila represented by Dr. Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development emphasized that although the company operates from the Niger Delta, its commitment to national development transcends regional boundaries. The newly completed project was executed at a cost of $500,000.
“Our focus is not confined to our host communities. We are driven by the shared goal of advancing healthcare standards throughout Nigeria,” Mshelbila noted.
He added that the laboratory complex, which was built based on a thorough needs assessment by the hospital’s management, is designed to significantly enhance diagnostic capacity and healthcare delivery in the region.
The NLNG Hospital Support Programme, launched in July 2021, targets 12 federal university teaching hospitals across Nigeria. These institutions, spread across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, are being equipped with modern facilities to improve the quality of medical care and education.
Dr. Yusuf Bara, Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, hailed the development as transformative. “This is more than the unveiling of a building; it is a significant leap forward for healthcare delivery in Nigeria, especially in the Northeast,” he said, while expressing appreciation to NLNG for its timely intervention.
Dr. Bara also underscored the importance of the facility in combating public health threats. “This laboratory is a frontline defense against emerging challenges such as Lassa fever, cancer, and antibiotic resistance,” he said. According to him, the lab will also bolster academic research and training for medical professionals in the region.
In conclusion, the ATBUTH chief called for further collaboration with NLNG and other stakeholders. He appealed for support in the construction and equipping of a Community Medicine and Public Health Complex, which would serve as a hub for preventive healthcare and public health education in the region.
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