Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital to partner St. Jude Global to advance childhood cancer care and research.
From Ardo Abdul
The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi has announced the signing of a Medical Institution Membership Agreement (MIMA) with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, marking its formal inclusion into the prestigious St. Jude Global Alliance.
The partnership represents a major milestone in the hospital’s commitment to improving the survival rates and quality of life of children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases across Nigeria and the sub-Saharan region.
In Press statement issued by the Teaching Hospital ‘s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Usman Abdullahi Koli says
by virtue of this collaboration, ATBUTH becomes a recognized Member Institution of the St. Jude Global Alliance, joining a worldwide network of leading hospitals and research centers dedicated to advancing pediatric oncology care, research, and capacity development.
The Chief Medical Director, Professor Yusuf Bara Jibrin, described the development as a significant stride in the hospital’s quest for global excellence in pediatric oncology and international medical collaboration. He emphasized that the partnership reflects ATBUTH’s vision to provide world-class care and hope to children and families facing the challenges of childhood cancer, adding that it will enhance research capacity, expand clinical expertise, and align the hospital’s operations with international best practices.
Professor Jibrin signed the agreement alongside Dr. Kefas John Bwala, Coordinator, Children Oncology Group and Paediatric Surgeon, who expressed optimism about the collaboration, describing it as a new dawn for pediatric oncology in Bauchi and Nigeria. He noted that the alliance will provide access to global mentorship, standardized treatment protocols, and specialized training opportunities that will strengthen the hospital’s ability to manage childhood cancers effectively.
This partnership places ATBUTH Bauchi among the few institutions in Nigeria aligned with St. Jude’s global mission to advance cures and prevention of pediatric catastrophic diseases through cutting-edge research, compassionate treatment, and continuous professional development. It further underscores the hospital’s growing reputation as a center of excellence in healthcare, research, and innovation.