Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has officially declared a state of emergency in the state’s health sector.
The governor announced the development during a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday, expressing deep concerns after an unscheduled visit to Gusau General Hospital revealed deplorable conditions in the health facility.
Visibly disturbed by what he witnessed, the governor outlined a comprehensive plan to address the challenges within the health sector.
“As a responsible government, we are taking urgent steps towards intervention,” Lawal declared, acknowledging the need for immediate action.
The key initiatives outlined by the governor include: “Massive Infrastructural Development: Improving the quality of all general hospitals through significant infrastructural development.
“State-of-the-Art Medical Equipment: Providing state-of-the-art medical equipment to enhance healthcare delivery.
“Standard Laboratories: Establishing standard laboratories for proper diagnosis.
“Maternal and Child Healthcare: Offering free services to address maternal and child healthcare, with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality.
“Primary Health Centres (PHCs): Giving special attention to PHCs in remote communities to enhance standard primary healthcare delivery.”
The governor also expressed his commitment to the well-being and welfare of healthcare service providers as he pledged to establish an affordable and comprehensive health insurance scheme for all citizens of Zamfara State.
Furthermore, the governor assured of the distribution of necessary equipment and essential medicines to hospitals across the 14 local government areas.
To ensure accountability, Lawal announced mandatory physical verification of all hospital staff, including casual workers, stating that the state health commissioner will establish a proper channel for external supervision of staff on duty.
In addition to these measures, the government plans to enhance ongoing Special Modified Medical Outreach, strengthen emergency response, and reposition human resources for the health structure.
The governor reiterated his dedication to the urgent and effective transformation of the health sector in Zamfara State, saying that the declaration of a state of emergency marks an important step towards achieving the goal and ensuring the well-being of the citizens.
