By Onuminya Ochowechi In Sokoto
The minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire said President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the provision of quality health service delivery to citizenry.
Ehanire stated this on Sunday in Sokoto while commissioning some projects executed by Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto.
He disclosed that since the inception of this administration in 2015 it has made a point of investment in the health sector through budgetary provision and special intervention projects, especially in our flagship hospitals.
He maintained that in 2021 the federal executive council granted approval for the construction, procurement and installation of a linear accelerator and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for some tertially hospitals in the country.
He noted that these modern medical equipment will improve diagnostics and management of cancer , neurosurgery and orthopaedics cases.
He also disclosed that the government has provided oxygen plants across the nation , to improve management of critically ill patients requiring oxygen therapy.
He said with the support of Nigerians they were able to surmount the challenges posed by COVID19 pandemic stressing that those who are yet to be vaccinated are to avail themselves for vaccination.
He further explained that government is monitoring the outbreak of monkey pox which is causing anxiety around the world.
” I urge us to remain calm as we are making effort to enlighten the public on the disease and how to prevent its spread he said.
He added that the ministry of Health and Labour and Employment are doing the needful to resolve grievances of health sector professionals and reduce industrial disharmony , which is one of the factor militating against development of health services .
“I urge health professionals to support the growth of.our health system by putting aside acrimony and focus on provision of qualitative , affordable , accessible and available health care to Nigerians he stated.
He congratulated the board and management of Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto for achieving so much in their tenure saying that is why he recommended for the reappointment of chief medical director because of the good works he is doing.
He also commended the support of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar to the hospital and the federal ministry of health.
Earlier the chief medical director of Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Prof Anas Ahmad Sabir said the projects to be commissioned include the newly established nuclear medicine department , constructed brachytherapy centre, cardiothoracic centre , upgraded intensive care unit , multipurpose Centre , female students hostel, molecular laboratory, renovated trauma centre, renovated accident and emergency department , hospital road network .
Others are newly constructed female medical ward, incinerator , solar power street lights , renovated medical library, laser treatment equipment , fundus camera, cold centrifuge , C-Arm, Olympus endoscopy machine, neurosurgery equipment and digital X-ray machine among others.
He explained that most of these projects were initiated and executed by the current management while others were executed by the previous management.
He appealed to the minister to help the hospital in the area of manpower to meet up the current physical development.
On his part Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of sokoto State said his administration has prioritized health sector as no body can do anything if he is not healthy
He maintained that in view of this the state has established three premier hospitals in the three senatorial district of the state to complement Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital in providing tertiary health service delivery.
Represented by commissioner of health Dr Ali Inamme Tambuwal further disclosed that the construction of Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital is in advance stage .
The Governor also said the state has built and commissioned Farfaru Advance medical diagnostics centre to avoid taking some advance medical laboratory tests to some places like Kano, Ibadan or other places