By Idris Umar, Zaria
The Kaduna State Government has taken another major step towards improving healthcare delivery in the state, as the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Professor Yusuf Jamoh, led a delegation from the state’s health sector on an inspection visit to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, to assess the condition of the hospital.
The visit was carried out at the directive of the Kaduna State Government, with particular attention focused on the hospital’s male and female medical wards, with the aim of commencing a rehabilitation and renovation programme for the facilities.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Yusuf Jamoh said the initiative was part of the state government’s major plans to reform the healthcare sector, with the objective of strengthening healthcare delivery from primary healthcare centres to tertiary hospitals that receive patients referred from other facilities.
He explained that the Kaduna State Government had already commenced the renovation and rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres as well as government-owned hospitals across the state, adding that the intervention at ABUTH would further strengthen these efforts by providing an improved facility for patients who require specialist medical care.
Professor Jamoh said the programme was designed to complete the healthcare delivery system by linking primary healthcare centres, secondary hospitals and tertiary healthcare institutions such as ABUTH.
He added that this would also strengthen research, the training of healthcare workers and the provision of specialised medical services.
The delegation also inspected the hospital’s drug quality-control laboratory, where Jamoh expressed satisfaction with the equipment and personnel available for detecting counterfeit and substandard medicines.
He said the laboratory has the capacity to examine drug samples and determine whether they contain the required active ingredients or have been contaminated with harmful microorganisms.
According to him, the laboratory is one of the important areas where the Kaduna State Government and ABUTH could establish cooperation, particularly in the fight against counterfeit and substandard medicines.
Professor Jamoh further disclosed that the renovation work would commence immediately, with officials expected to begin preparing the Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and other documents required for the project.
He said the state government was determined to quickly transform the inspection visit into the actual commencement of the project.
Responding to the development, the Chief Medical Director of ABUTH, Shika, Zaria, Professor Ahmad Amdagas, described the initiative as a major development for the hospital and the Kaduna State healthcare system as a whole.
The Chief Medical Director said he was very pleased with the state government’s decision to intervene in the affairs of the hospital, describing the renovation plan as a step capable of transforming the situation and strengthening the relationship between the Kaduna State Government and ABUTH.
He commended the Kaduna State Governor for demonstrating commitment to improving healthcare delivery and recognising the importance of providing standard and appropriate facilities at different levels of the healthcare system.
The Chief Medical Director stressed that providing quality healthcare does not end with having functional primary and secondary healthcare facilities; it also requires tertiary hospitals equipped with modern facilities to provide specialised medical services and serve as referral centres for patients.
The government delegation accompanying the principal visitor included the Director of Community Health Services, Hajiya Habiba Aliyu; the Project Manager from the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Ahmed Bello, who is also the Head of the Procurement Department; and other officials of the ministry.
The visit is expected to further strengthen cooperation between Kaduna State and ABUTH, while supporting the state government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, enhance healthcare services and improve health outcomes for the people of the state as a whole.
Our correspondent spoke with members of the public during the visit.
Malam Ahmed, from Sabon Gari Local Government Area, who was accompanying his relative receiving treatment at the hospital, commended the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Ahmad Amdagas, for his efforts to bring development to various areas of the hospital.
Malam Ahmed expressed hope that other leaders would emulate the Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria.
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