Draft:44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital

44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital
Geography
LocationSokoto Road, Badiko, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Organisation
Care systemMilitary/Public
TypeTertiary
Affiliated universityNigerian Army Medical Corps
Services
Beds120
History
Opened1944
Links
WebsiteOfficial listing
ListsHospitals in Nigeria

44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital (44 NARHK) is a tertiary military hospital located in Badiko, Kaduna State, Nigeria. It is operated by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps and serves both military personnel and civilians. The hospital is widely regarded as one of the most advanced military medical facilities in West Africa.[1]

History

The hospital was originally established in 1944 by the British colonial administration to serve British armed forces during World War II. In 2009, the Nigerian Army initiated a major upgrade to transform the hospital into a world-class facility capable of handling complex medical cases, including those arising from peacekeeping missions and combat operations.[2]

The upgraded facility was commissioned in 2019 by the then President Muhammadu Buhari after a decade-long construction and modernization effort.[1]

Facilities

44 NARHK is equipped with:

  • 120-bed complex
  • Six operating theaters
  • Three intensive care units
  • Eight inpatient wards
  • Dialysis unit
  • Dental clinic
  • Radiology center with 16 CT scanners, MRI, fluoroscopy, and digital X-ray
  • Therapeutic and rehabilitation center
  • Six 800kVA generators for uninterrupted power supply[1]
  • Prosthetics and orthotics workshop[3]

Services

The hospital provides a wide range of services, including:

  • Trauma and emergency care
  • General surgery
  • Internal medicine
  • Obstetrics and gynecology
  • Pediatrics
  • ENT services
  • Dental care
  • Radiology and imaging
  • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
  • Mental health services
  • HIV/AIDS counseling and testing[4]

Military and civilian role

Though primarily a military hospital, 44 NARHK also serves civilians in Kaduna and neighboring states. It plays a dual role in providing healthcare to Nigerian Army personnel and contributing to public health initiatives. The hospital is known for its disciplined medical staff, many of whom are commissioned officers trained in military and civilian medicine.[5]

Achievements

In 2023, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, described the hospital's facilities as “amongst the best in the world” during an inspection visit. He praised the hospital's prosthetics and rehabilitation services, which support injured soldiers returning from combat.[3]

The hospital has also been recognized for its role in supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations, with facilities upgraded to meet UN standards for treating wounded personnel from multinational missions.[2]

Location

44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital is located at Sokoto Road, Badiko, Kaduna 800282, Nigeria. It is situated within the military cantonment and is accessible to both military and civilian patients.[6]

Leadership

The hospital is managed by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps. As of 2023, the Chief Medical Director is Colonel Ndidi Onuchukwu.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Blueprint Newspapers. After 10 Years, Buhari to Commission 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital. Published 3 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b Daily Trust. Kaduna: Why 44 Army Reference Hospital Was Abandoned. Published 26 November 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Ministry of Defence. Permanent Secretary of Defence Visits 44 Reference Hospital Kaduna. Published 26 July 2023.
  4. ^ Finelib. 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  5. ^ Medical World Nigeria. 44 Nigeria Army Reference Hospital Kaduna – The Best Military Hospital. Published 15 October 2017.
  6. ^ WorldOrgs. 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna. Retrieved 9 August 2025.