The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, has signed a Medical Institution Membership Agreement (MIMA) with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, officially becoming a member of the prestigious St. Jude Global Alliance.
A statement yesterday by the Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Usman Abdullahi, said the partnership marks a major milestone in ATBUTH’s commitment to improving survival rates and enhancing the quality of life for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.
He added that with the collaboration, ATBUTH joins a global network of leading hospitals and research centres dedicated to advancing paediatric oncology care, research, and capacity development.
The Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof Yusuf Bara Jibrin, described the agreement as a significant step in the hospital’s pursuit of global excellence in paediatric oncology and international medical collaboration.
He said the partnership reflects ATBUTH’s vision to deliver world-class care and hope to children and families facing the challenges of childhood cancer.
According to him, the alliance will boost the hospital’s research capacity, expand clinical expertise, and align its operations with international best practices.
Prof Jibrin signed the agreement alongside Dr Kefas John Bwala, Coordinator of the Children’s Oncology Group and Paediatric Surgeon, who expressed optimism that the collaboration heralds a new dawn for paediatric oncology in Bauchi and Nigeria.
Dr Bwala noted that the alliance will offer access to global mentorship, standardised treatment protocols, and specialised training that will strengthen ATBUTH’s ability to manage childhood cancers more effectively.
“This partnership positions ATBUTH among a select group of Nigerian institutions aligned with St Jude’s global mission to advance cures and prevention for paediatric catastrophic diseases through cutting-edge research, compassionate treatment, and continuous professional development.
“It also reinforces the hospital’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence in healthcare, research, and innovation,” the statement added.
