The management of Nasarawa State own hospital, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia has made its position cleared against Association of Resident Doctors who called for the shutdown of activities in the hospital.
The Chief Medical Director, Dr. Ikirama Hassan said at a news briefing that the hospital was passing through teething challenges that are consistent with a growing institution.
“First let me clear the air on general misconception making the round and more importantly, I want to reassure the people of the state that everything is under control as what we are experiencing now is teething problem of a growing institution.
Dr. Hassan promised that soon they will overcome and produce a more virile, resilient and functional institution.
“In November 2020, the State Ministry of Health raised the alarm in the reality of second wave of COVID19, the hospital took action immediately as to protect our staff, through hospital rapid response team RRT, and the infection prevention and control committee IPCC, were quickly remobilized to articulate a pandemic response plan for the hospital.”
Dr. Hassan also stated that the two committees went into overdrive and with technical assistance from the state emergency operations center, EOC, and came up with a comprehensive plan in the record time.
“The hospital embarked on training of staff workforce on COVID19 during first wave of the pandemic, while he mentioned that the training was repeated in the late November and early December 2020.
“Elements of Lassa fever and yellow fever were also incorporated as few cases had been reported in the country.
He told newsmen that management of DASH had convened a meeting of all union/associations’ leaders in the hospital and sensitive decisions were reached.
“Many suggestions and modifications were made both the union and association shower commendation on the management for its actions as well as carrying everyone along”, he pointed out.
Dr. Hassan confirmed that the association of resident doctors’ suggestion for broad down-scaling or shutdown of service were discussed and was not accepted following that discretion was already given to departments in collaboration with RRT and IPCC.
“A source of concerned was that few days after the meeting and agreement reached, ARD asked it’s members to suspend clinical service except emergencies and also stopped academic activities.
The Chief Medical Director, said there was a counter directive from the Medical and Dental Consultant Associations of Nigeria MDCAN, instructing i’s members to maintain services, but suspend training, adding that other unions and associations who were at the earlier meeting continued with services as agreed at the joint meeting.
Dr. Hassan acknowledged that it is a most trial moment for the hospital having to deal with rising rate of infection in most community in the state.
“To this end, management of the hospital has decided to strengthen its workforce in various departments by appealing with resident doctor on posting to return in order with a view to augment our workforce to maintain services to its staff as well as the people of the state.
