Health
COVID-19: Kogi designs abandon facilities as isolation centres, starves action Committee of funds


The entrance to the Kogi Diagnostic centre also designated as isolation centre
Centres designated for isolation of COVID-19 suspects in Kogi state are yet to be equipped for such emergency.
The State government had designated two facilities-FAREC clinic and the State Diagnostic centre as isolation points for COVID-19 suspects.
However, amid rising cases and spread of the virus across the country, the two centres are far from taking off.
The FAREC clinic is abandoned with the facility in deplorable condition.
When our correspondent visited the facility on Thursday, the wear and tear were visible right from the entrance with part of the ceiling in the patients waiting section almost falling off, with other units requiring urgent face-lift.
It was also observed that there is no personnel, not even a security guard at the facility.
Our correspondent also noticed that all entrances to the diagnostic centre are under lock and key except for the small opening where the state personnel guarding the facility uses.
A source told Daily Trust that the facility is yet to be put to use.
“No equipment has been brought here. In fact the facility may look complete from the outside but parts of the interior are yet to be completed,” he explained.
It was observed that a tricycle was parked at the entrance, while traders have taken over a section of the entrance to the facility.
A member of the committee set up by the state government to stop the spread of the pandemic told our correspondent in confidence that no fund has been released to the team.
The source pointed out that since the committee code named Covid 19 Squadron team was set up two weeks ago, no logistic has been released to it either in cash , drugs or equipment while the committee has no vehicle to work with.
Daily Trust reports that corporate organisations operating in the state and individuals have separately made donations to the state government to assist in curbing the virus. The United Bank for Africa (UBA) donated N28.5 million recently

Part of the FAREC clinic Designated as isolation centre
” I am sorry to say that the state government is not doing enough on this coronavirus, as I speak to you, there is no single isolation areas for patients in the state as claimed. The one million dollars claimed by the Commissioner for Information that government has set aside is just a huge ruse.
“And given the location of Kogi state bordering nine other states, it will be too terrible for the citizens if the virus breaks out here, because honestly speaking there is nothing on ground to control the spread.
“Unlike some other state governors who are up and doing, our governor only came back from Abuja yesterday and there is no release of funds for the committee to work with, yet we hear of millions of naira that have been donated to the state government,” the source disclosed.
Our correspondent could not immediately get the Commissioner of Health , Saka Haruna Audu to comment on the development as he failed to pick several calls made to him on his known telephone. He also did not respond to a text message sent to him.
However, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo said, “we just took delivery of some of the facilities we need at the Centres. We are ready. We keep admonishing the Kogi people to maintain social distancing and all the directives given by health practitioners”

Credit: Daily Trust
The Federal Government has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Hospital and four private institutions to enhance the capacity of the healthcare workforce.
The participating institutions include Nile University, Cosmopolitan University, Yangongwo College of Nursing Sciences, and Concerned Medix Foundation.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun on Friday.
Alaba revealed that during the signing ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized that the MoU aligns with the administration’s policy to expand training capacities.
Prof. Pate further highlighted that this initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to increasing the training of health workers, addressing workforce gaps, and maintaining professional standards through the Regulatory and Professional Schools Division of the Hospital Services Department of the Ministry.
He stressed the government’s responsibility to tackle multiple challenges, including infrastructure, equipment, and human capital development, noting that Nigerian health workers are highly sought after due to their excellent training.
“Thankfully, because they are well-trained, we are very proud of them. If we weren’t training them, they wouldn’t have been attractive to other countries.
“Unfortunately, that has implications on the service delivery at home. So as a government, we took a progressive stance to say, look, let’s train more.
“So that even if those who are trained leave, some will stay. And even those who have gone away might come back to serve. And, that is the driving force behind this policy approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the Coordinating Minister pointed out.
Prof. Pate also underscored the crucial role of the private sector in achieving the government’s objectives, noting that Nigeria’s healthcare system operates as a mix of public and private institutions.
“So, the private sector has a space, and I am very pleased that you have joined hands with the National Hospital to be able to really see how the capabilities of the hospital can help you train more clinicians”, he said.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Prof. Raji Mahmud, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing improvements in the healthcare system.
He affirmed that the collaboration and signing of the MoU between the National Hospital and private institutions would significantly expand healthcare workforce training.
Prof. Mahmud further noted that three out of the four institutions are primarily training centers focused on medical and nursing education in partnership with the National Hospital, Abuja.
In a bid to enhance medical care for Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed six new Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for Federal Hospitals across the country.
Among those appointed is Dr. Ikrama Hassan, who will now serve as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Dr. Hassan, a seasoned consultant physician, previously served as the Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital before its elevation to a teaching hospital.
The full list of newly appointed CMDs includes:
Prof. Olusegun Sylvester Ojo – Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State.
Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi (Reappointed) – Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum – Federal Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State.
Dr. Ikrama Hassan – Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Dr. Ali Mohammed Ramat – National Orthopedic Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu – Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
Each appointment is for a four-year term, effective from the date of assumption of duty.
President Tinubu congratulated the appointees, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service delivery. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving medical infrastructure and ensuring quality healthcare access for all Nigerians.
Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Maidoki has called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre to be situated in Zuru to cater for the health needs of the District and its environs.
The lawmaker in the 10th National Assembly made the call during a public hearing on the Bill to establish Federal Medical Centre in Zuru organized by the Senate Committee on Health.
In a memorandum presented at the hearing by the lawmaker, he explained that the aim is to provide tertiary healthcare facilities to the people of Zuru in Kebbi State in the North West Nigeria.
He further noted that the establishment of FMCs across the country was initiated by Decree No. 10 of 1985, with the aim of providing tertiary healthcare services.
According to him, the FMC Birnin Kebbi was established on June 6, 2000, and has since been upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
The lawmaker stated that the large population and the challenges faced in accessing healthcare services, necessitates the establishment of FMC in the state.
“In Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, the distance between Zuru Emirate and Birnin Kebbi is approximately 240 km, making it difficult for patients, especially children and pregnant women, to access secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities”, he lamented.
Senator Maidoki charged his colleagues and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the bill, saying healthcare is a fundamental privilege expected from any government.
The lawmaker who is the sponsor of the bill told journalists during a chat that the Federal Medical Center, when established will not only cater for the tertiary healthcare needs of Kebbi State, but will also serve the adjoining states like Niger and Zamfara.
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