Minister of Health launches new research facility at Bauchi's university medical centre

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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has inaugurated a Clinical Trial Centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, to strengthen clinical research, innovation and evidence-based healthcare in Nigeria.

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According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Usman Koli, the state-of-the-art facility was established to boost clinical research and support the development of innovative healthcare solutions in the country.

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The statement said the inauguration took place on Saturday during the minister’s official visit to the hospital, where he also flagged off the Federal Government’s distribution of emergency obstetric and newborn care equipment, commodities and delivery kits, and inspected ongoing infrastructure projects.

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Speaking during the inauguration, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof. Yusuf Bara, described the Clinical Trial Centre as a landmark achievement for the institution.

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He said, “The Clinical Trial Centre is a major milestone in the hospital’s commitment to advancing medical research and improving healthcare outcomes through high-quality, ethical clinical trials conducted in line with international standards.

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“The Centre will support research on vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health interventions while serving as a platform for training healthcare professionals, fostering scientific collaboration and generating local evidence to address priority health challenges.”

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Bara expressed appreciation to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for supporting the establishment of the facility.

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“We express profound appreciation to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia (MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM), for their invaluable technical support, partnership and commitment, which were instrumental in the establishment of the Centre,” he said.

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The Chief Medical Director also commended the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for prioritising research, innovation and health system strengthening.

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He added that the Clinical Trial Centre would position ATBUTH as a leading hub for clinical research, capacity building and collaboration with national and international partners, contributing to improved patient care and better health outcomes in Nigeria.

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“The management remains committed to maintaining the Centre as a facility of excellence that will support groundbreaking research, promote innovation and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in line with the hospital’s mandate of service, training and research,” Bara added.

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