By Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan
I write to you today with a heartfelt plea that resonate not just within the walls of the infrastructural decay of the hospitals but on behalf of the entire citizens across Bauchi state.The pathetic condition of our healthcare facilities is in a serious and miserable state which requires a second look as your urgent attention being the son of the soil to protect the sanctity of the institution and the system at large from total collapse.
These health facilities had in the past became a beacon of hope and healing which i believed you can attest to that. The present Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital formerly known as the Bauchi Cottage Hosaital was the first of it kind in the then Bauchi native Authority, glory be to God the edifice is now manage and control by Federal government after fulfillment of all local arrangements of handling the hospital during the then governor of Bauchi State Mallam Isa Yugu but owing to the long term negligence by the previous administration, most of the State owned public hospitals are now dilapidated if not obsolete.
The crumbling walls, outdated equipment and lack of manpower have turned what should be a place of solace into a source of anguish for both patients and their families who always visit the facility to seek for medical attention from the medical personnel. The health care experts that are still working tirelessly under the compromised conditions deserves better and timely remuneration.
Like wise, patients who heavingly rely on these hospitals for their improved health care status deserves a special treatment but the reverse seems to be the case
The need for upgrading and rehabilitation of the facilities goes beyond the aesthetic nature to that of providing quality healthcare service delivery to the citizenry who are always at the forefront in exercising their franchise to choose for themselves those they feel deem to govern them.
More often than not, an environmentally hygienic and renovated health care centre will no doubt boost the morale and encourage the health workers to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
The committed personnel who work day and night tirelessly to save lives, need a clean environment which can support their professional practice.The needed human and material resources will assist in providing an improved health care service to the communities who are in dare need of good medical attention.
The importance attached in ensuring a conducive working atmosphere, well trained qualified medical staff became neccessary as a revitalized healthcare institution can boost the local economy,create jobs and promote trade and investment in a particular area while given a sense of belonging to the people
With these pressing issues and many more which time and space would not allowed me to itemize them in details, the Hon.Minister of health and social welfare should not relent in given a priority on the renovation of our state hospitals in Bauchi and allocation of enough funds as done before with a dedicated team of experts within and outside the country to work harmoniously in providing sustainable universal health coverage in Bauchi state.
Sir, as a professional with inernational reputation, I urge you not to hesitate in transforming the Hospital in Nigeria not only Bauchi state but across the whole country to a first class healing center that can compete favourably with its counterpart across the globe.
Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan wrote from Bauchi local government area. adamugarba0079@gmail.com
