Health minister commissions clinical trial centre at ATBUTH to boost medical research
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has commissioned a new Clinical Trial Centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi.
He described the facility as a major step toward strengthening medical research, innovation and evidence-based healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The inauguration took place during the minister’s official visit to the hospital on Saturday.
It formed part of activities that also included the launch of the Federal Government’s distribution of emergency obstetric and newborn care equipment, commodities and delivery kits, as well as an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects at the hospital.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Usman Koli, the newly established centre is designed to expand Nigeria’s capacity for clinical research and support the development of innovative healthcare interventions.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof. Yusuf Bara, described the facility as a significant milestone in the hospital’s drive to advance scientific research and improve healthcare outcomes.
“The Clinical Trial Centre represents a major milestone in the hospital’s commitment to advancing medical research and improving healthcare outcomes through high-quality, ethical clinical trials conducted in accordance with international standards,” Bara said.
He explained that the centre would facilitate research into vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other medical 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 contributions of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, saying their technical support and partnership were instrumental in establishing the facility.
“We express profound appreciation to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for their invaluable technical support, partnership and commitment, which were instrumental in the establishment of the Centre,” he said.
The ATBUTH chief further commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for prioritising investments in research, innovation and health system development.
According to him, the Clinical Trial Centre will position the teaching hospital as a leading institution for clinical research, capacity building and collaboration with both local and international partners, while supporting improved patient care and better health outcomes across the country.
He added that the hospital’s management remains committed to sustaining the facility as a centre of excellence dedicated to groundbreaking research, innovation and the advancement of healthcare through its mandate of service, training and research.
