The Nigerian Army on Monday, June 1, laid the foundation for a 200-bed capacity reference hospital next to Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.
This reference hospital is to provide quick medical treatment to soldiers who sustained injuries during their fight against the Boko Haram Terrorist Group.
According to Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, the hospital would also provide medical care to civilians in the community.
Injured soldiers in need of special medical care are transported to a Reference Hospital in Kaduna State which is not time effective especially in the face of an emergency.
Buratai disclosed that this situation posed as a problem to the Army which made building a reference hospital in Borno imperative.
The Army Chief also thanked the Borno State Government for donating the piece of land for the erection of the hospital.
He prayed for the soul of the departed soldiers who laid their lives to fight the terrorist group for the peace of the nation and offered heartfelt condolences to their families.
Babagana Zulum, Borno State Governor, was present at the event.
According to him, completion of the reference hospital will make stronger the relationship between civilians and the Army.
Boko Haram left more than 2.3 million people displaced in Nigeria and killed more than 6,600 people in 2014.