The Abdul Samad Rabiu Nigeria Customs Service (ASR-NCS) Hospital in Bauchi has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) to promote public health and community development across Bauchi State and the North-East region.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by members of J4PD to the Zonal Medical Officer, Zone D, and Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Dr. Sunusi Garba.
Leading the delegation, J4PD Executive Director, Elizabeth Kah, said the visit was aimed at establishing a strategic partnership with the hospital to advance public health initiatives and improve healthcare outcomes.
She commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for facilitating the establishment of the 60-bed ultra-modern healthcare facility in Yelwan Tudu, Bauchi State.
“The hospital has significantly improved access to efficient, effective and affordable healthcare services for officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service as well as members of the public. Public health remains a critical pillar of societal development and deserves greater attention from all stakeholders,” Kah said.
She noted that stronger collaboration between the media and healthcare institutions would help raise awareness on critical health issues and drive community-focused interventions.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Umar Saidu, praised the Nigeria Customs Service for establishing the hospital in the North-East to help address pressing healthcare challenges in the region.
“The establishment of this facility demonstrates a commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the region. The NUJ is ready to support community outreach programmes, especially initiatives that provide free healthcare services to host communities,” Saidu stated.
Responding, Dr. Garba welcomed the delegation and underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing healthcare gaps across the North-East and North-Central regions.
“We appreciate this visit and the interest shown by J4PD in partnering with us. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to bridging healthcare gaps and improving access to quality healthcare services across the North-East and North-Central regions of Nigeria,” he said.
Dr. Garba explained that the hospital was established through a partnership between the ASR Africa Initiative and the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
Providing an update on the facility’s performance since its commissioning on February 17, 2026, the CMD disclosed that the hospital has attended to hundreds of patients and carried out several medical procedures.
“Since commissioning, the hospital has provided medical care to 575 patients, conducted 410 laboratory tests, recorded 150 admissions, and successfully carried out 15 minor surgeries and one major surgery,” he revealed.
According to him, the figures reflect the hospital’s growing impact on healthcare delivery within and beyond the Customs community.
“These figures reflect our commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to both Customs personnel and members of the public. We remain ready to collaborate with organisations such as J4PD in future outreach programmes that will further improve health outcomes in our communities,” Dr. Garba added.
The Chief Medical Director also expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs for his continued support toward the growth and development of the facility.
“I also wish to express our profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs for his unwavering support and commitment to the growth and development of this hospital,” he said.
The visit highlighted the growing recognition of partnerships between healthcare institutions, the media, and development organisations as critical tools for improving public health awareness and expanding access to quality healthcare services across underserved communities.