Disturbed by the dire state of health facilities and working condition of health practitioners, the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has declared a state of emergency on the state’s health sector.
The Governor made the declaration in a statewide address on Tuesday, after an impromptu visit to the General Hospital, Gusau.
Lawal expressed dismay over the deplorable state of the healthcare facility as well as poor working condition of the healthcare providers. He therefore described the declaration as a prompt response to the urgent need for intervention.
While he pledged that his administration would formulate a strategy to elevate the health and well-being of all healthcare providers in the state; he promised to introduce an affordable and inclusive health insurance program, ensuring accessible, high-quality healthcare for all Zamfara residents.
“We’re committed to equipping all hospitals across the 14 local government areas with necessary supplies and vital medications,” he affirmed.
The governor announced plans for a comprehensive verification of hospital staff, including temporary employees.
Furthermore, he outlined initiatives for enhanced external oversight of staff and bolstered emergency response capabilities.
“We’re enhancing the ongoing Special Modified Medical Outreach and revamping the healthcare workforce,” the governor elaborated.
“During my surprise visit to Gusau General Hospital on January 28, I witnessed firsthand the appalling conditions patients endure. The state of our healthcare facilities necessitates swift action, hence the declaration of a State of Emergency in the health sector,” he emphasized.
“As a responsible government, we’re swiftly moving to intervene,” he assured.
The governor reiterated his dedication to promptly addressing these challenges.
“We’ll upgrade all general hospitals through extensive infrastructure development, deploy state-of-the-art medical equipment, and establish standard laboratories for accurate diagnosis,” he detailed.
“Additionally, we’ll implement free maternal and child healthcare services to reduce mortality rates and prioritize primary health centers to ensure quality healthcare reaches remote areas,” he concluded.
