FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – Governor Abdullahi Sule has appealed to the Federal Government to install modern diagnostic equipment at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, now Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, towards upgrading the facility to standard.
Governor Sule made the appeal after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the final handing over of DASH to the Federal Government, at a ceremony that took place at the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Governor said even though the state government is finally handing over the facility to the Federal Government, he still finds it necessary to make further requests especially in the areas of CT Scan and MRI which are presently lacking at the hospital.
“There is need for modern diagnostic equipment specifically, CT Scan and the MRI. This is because more than 80 per cent of the referrals out of that hospital are related to these areas. This is one area that we are lacking,” he stated.
He said there is every need to further upgrade the facility with modern diagnostic equipment since over 80 per cent of referrals from the hospital are in the areas of CT Scan and MRI.
Governor Sule added that his administration would further collaborate with the FULafia teaching hospital in the area of research, particularly with a view to establishing a vaccines production centre in the state.
“I know the Hon. Minister has worked with the Nasarawa State Government, even with some of the development partners, including Gavi at one point in order to establish a vaccine production centre in the state. It’s a dream of the government and we will continue to work in that area,” he said.
While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not only accepting to takeover the hospital but also agreeing to appoint Dr. Ikrama Hassan as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the teaching hospital, the Governor described the MoU signing marking the final handing over of the facility as a great milestone.
“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this kind of vision that is going to be for the benefit of humanity. This is a special day for us in Nasarawa State. This particular hospital has a long history, from the creation of the state. A lot of work has been done. A lot of investment has been done. Indeed, we are handing over to you a very reputable institution that has seen a lot of investment from the state government from the period of our military governors all the way to our first civilian governor, Abdullahi Adamu.
“There is a lot of work that has been done to the point where we have other institutions attached to the hospital, including the school of nursing. I want to sincerely thank you and assure you that you are taking an institution that is reputable and is going to be one of the best in the country,” he added.
He pointed out that the taking over of the hospital by the Federal Government will bring lots of benefits to Nasarawa State.
“Just like the Minister has mentioned, apart from the quality healthcare delivery system, more importantly we are going to have the training and retraining of healthcare workforce. Then the research that you have mentioned in the various areas and for various ailments.
“We are going to have something that probably we have not been successful with, that is the retention of some of the best staff that you have. It is also going to boost our economic activities in the state.
“I have to also thank you for retaining Dr Ikrama Hassan as the substantive CMD. I want to thank Mr President for accepting and approving his appointment as CMD. He has put in so much into that particular hospital. He understands it and at least, for this teething period, since you said the umbilical cord is still there, he will be the right person to be there,” he said.
Earlier, in an opening remarks, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammad Ali Pate, said the taking over of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital is part of the initiative of President to revitalise the health system, improve infrastructure, equipment, training of medical staff, as well as enhance capabilities of hospitals, in collaboration with state and local governments.
The Minister said the Federal Government is working with state governments to further strengthen the capability of specialised hospitals.
“I believe, based on the conversations between your state and the Federal Government, President Bola Tinubu did not hesitate to approve that the Federal Government takes ownership of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital to be a Federal teaching hospital. We are looking forward to working in the state to build that teaching hospital to serve the population of Nasarawa State, the zone, and the entire country. It will be a place for service, training, and research,” he said.
The Minister pointed out that the mandate of the new hospital is to deliver specialised service to the people, not basic healthcare services, but training of our doctors, nurses, and other professionals, as well as the conduct of research to generate new knowledge.
“It will take some time to optimise that, but with the signing, we are reaching a milestone. We look forward to collaborating with you. I also want to thank you for all the support to the CMD throughout the transition period. We count on your continued support as the hospital moves from strength to strength,” he said.
Professor Pate said even though the Federal Government is finally taking over the facility, there is still need for further collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government.
“Even though we are signing the MoU, we think there is still an umbilical cord since 80 per cent of those to be served are citizens of Nasarawa State and your commitment to the health sector and to Nigeria’s development overall is one that we appreciate,” he said.
Signed
ARI, LIMAN AMINU
ACI&PRO,
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC,LAFIA.
