Governor Lawal declares state of emergency in Zamfara health sector

The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has declared a state of emergency in the health sector of the state with a commitment to revamping the system. In a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday, the governor decried the disturbing conditions of hospitals across Zamfara.

A statement by the spokesperson of the governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the declaration came after the governor’s unscheduled visit to Gusau General Hospital.

According to him, the hospitals urgently needed intervention due to the poor state of facilities, equipment and the workers. As a result, a state of emergency was declared in the sector.

The statement reads in parts: “Today, in a state-wide broadcast, Governor Dauda Lawal declared a state of emergency in the health sector of Zamfara.

“The governor’s unscheduled visit to the General Hospital in Gusau on Sunday night prompted the decision.”

The statement quoted Mr Lawal expressing concern over the poor conditions that patients were experiencing in hospitals and highlighted steps of intervention by his administration.

“On Sunday, January 28, 2024, I made an unscheduled visit to General Hospital in Gusau to assess its condition. I was shocked and worried by the unhealthy and poor environment that patients seeking medical attention were exposed to.

The governor said: “It is not just the infrastructural decay that is affecting the health sector in Zamfara State, but the working condition of the healthcare service providers and their welfare is also of great concern.

“The disturbing condition of the healthcare facilities across the state is what necessitated this prompt action to declare a state of emergency in the health sector.

“As a responsible government, we are taking urgent steps towards intervention.

“My campaign manifesto highlighted the crucial healthcare issues that Zamfara State faces. These issues are paramount to the welfare and progress of our citizens. I am dedicated to addressing them with the utmost urgency and attention they deserve.

“The health sector in Zamfara is suffering from multiple issues, including poor funding and quality of healthcare delivery, ranging from infrastructure to medical services. Many lives were lost due to this. I am declaring today that we will not continue like this.”

To revamp the sector, Mr Lawal said his government would commence the improvement of the quality of all general hospitals through massive infrastructural development, provision of state-of-the-art medical equipment, and establishment of standard laboratories for proper diagnosis.

He also added that his administration would provide free maternal and child healthcare to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality as well as give special attention to primary health centres (PHCs) in providing standard primary healthcare delivery to remote communities.

He stressed further: “We will develop a plan to enhance the well-being and welfare of all healthcare service providers in the state. We will establish an affordable and comprehensive health insurance scheme and provide access to quality healthcare services for all citizens of Zamfara State.

“We will distribute the necessary equipment and essential medicines to all hospitals across the 14 local government areas. We will perform mandatory physical verification of all hospital staff, including casual workers. The state health commissioner will establish a proper channel of external supervision of staff on duty.

“We will improve the ongoing Special Modified Medical Outreach. My government has already completed two phases of the medical outreach with free services to individuals with cataracts, groin swellings such as hernias and hydroceles, vesicovaginal fistula repairs, and health education.

“We will strengthen the emergency response and reposition the human resources for health structure,” the governor emphasised.