FG signs MoU with Sokoto over provision of efficient health care
The Federal Ministry of Health and Sokoto State government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the provision and distribution of good health care to the indigenes and residents of Nigerians in Sokoto State.
Speaking at the occasion in Abuja, the State Governor of Sokoto, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tanbawal described the gesture as one that will help to unleash and unbundled the health burden of people of the state.
“In the Usman Dan Fodio Teaching hospital before now and this moment had over 500 medical doctors domicile there, working there, only out to Arungungu where we have 2 medical comprehensive Teaching hospital but with the signing of the MOU, we are going to unleash and unbundled the medical directors on the population of resident to the entire of Sokoto State to enable us to have fairness and equality in the disposition of medical personnel.
“We will ensure fairness and equality in the implementation of the MOU in ensuring that all available health care reaches the nook and cranny of the state. The MOU will be implemented in the local government of the states which include Tanbawal, Saborine among others.
In the same vein the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole Pointed out that the administration was committed to delivering quality healthcare to the people stressing that government must bridge the gap between the federal and state level on effective health care delivery.
Adewole disclosed that the MOU was the first of its kind in the history of the country recalling his several attempts to make such happen during his days as a Chief Medical Director in the States but failed to achieve such due to lack of political will from the previous Government.
“this was the first of its kind in the country, and it is going to transfer quality health care service from the teaching hospital to the local level.”
The Minister urged states to emulate the excellent act by Sokoto government, noting that the President must celebrate it at the Governor’s forum level.
Earlier the Chief Medical Director, Usman Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Dr. Yakubu Ahmed disclosed that the hospital had two comprehensive health care centres, over a hundred consultants, over 400 resident doctors and 750 Nurses.
The CDM added that the hospital has a large number of manpower concentrating in the teaching hospital and would cover hospitals located in the cities and local governments after the implementation.
“Consultants would cover hospitals in the cities when they are not on duty and would be paid token. there are six General hospitals, two from each senatorial district, our resident doctors would cover them according to the timetable.”
He added: “Ninety percent of accident victims died along the way while 10% died at the scene, so we would collaborate with state and give a phone number to call when such incidents occur so that we would come to their aid.”
Ibeneme Ebelechukwu, Abuja
