By Winifred Momoh
President Bola Tinubu has approved a 50 percent electricity subsidy for public hospitals and educational institutions in a move aimed at easing their financial burdens.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, announced this decision while inaugurating new projects at the National Ear Care Centre in Kaduna on Thursday. The new projects include a 200-capacity auditorium, a student hostel, an oxygen plant, a molecular laboratory, a powerhouse, an ENT specialists clinic, an operating theatre, and a female/children’s ward.
According to Alausa, the subsidy is a part of President Tinubu’s initiative to bolster the health and education sectors and will be implemented soon by the Minister of Power. This measure is expected to significantly lower energy tariffs for public hospitals, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, allowing these institutions to allocate more resources towards enhancing their services.
Alausa praised President Tinubu’s commitment to improving public health and education, stating, “The President’s approval of this 50 percent electricity subsidy for public hospitals and educational institutions reflects his dedication to enhancing the quality of healthcare and education in Nigeria. The subsidy will enable these institutions to better serve Nigerians by reducing their energy costs.”
Earlier, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, lauded the achievements of the National Ear Care Centre under its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Abubakar Yaro. He also commended Minister Alausa for his support and vision, emphasizing that the newly inaugurated projects highlight the government’s commitment to health and wellness.
Governor Sani assured continued support from the state government to further develop the centre and enhance its role in providing specialized care and training. He highlighted the significance of the new facilities and expressed confidence in the ongoing support from the Ministry of Health.
“The commissioning of these new facilities demonstrates the effective use of resources to advance healthcare services, aligning with our administration’s priority on public health. I commend Dr. Abubakar Yaro for his leadership and am confident that the National Ear Care Centre will continue to thrive with support from both the state and federal governments,” Sani said.
Established in 1999, the National Ear Care Centre has been instrumental in providing specialized care, training healthcare professionals, and conducting research in ENT diseases.
