- Buni’s commitment to healthcare is saving million lives- Says CMD
By Inusa Ndahi, Damaturu
THE Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH), Dr. Baba Waru Goni said, the increasing cases of Kidney failure has compelled the institution, with support from Governor Mai Mala Buni to treat and conduct free dialysis on monthly basis
The free dialysis to over 600 patients a month according to Goni on Tuesday was sequel to approval and support given to the institution by Governor Mai Mala Buni who is committed in providing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state.
Addressing some heads of media practitioners who were on a 3-day tour of projects executed by the present administration across all the local government areas, he said, the free treatment has been conducted for about seven years.
Dr. Goni while receiving the media team led by the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego at the over 400-bed capacity Mamman Ali Maternal and Child Complex built by Governor Buni and hitherto commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari said, the state of the art facility located within the premises of YSUTH, is not only saving million lives, but also serve as referral and research centre in addressing maternal mortality in the North East region.
While taking Journalists round some of the Maternal Units, especially the Labour, Incubator, In-Born and Out-Born sections, the CMD said, the facility records about 20 to 30 deliveries at once.
“Gentlemen, this is the 400- bed capacity Mamman Ali Maternal and Child Complex built by His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni. It is a gigantic facility located within the premises of YSUTH. The facility records about 20 to 30 deliveries at once.
“It was established in order to address all forms of maternal mortality issues and child health indices in this part of the country. The over decade Boko Haram crisis has forced millions of our people displaced. This led to the influx of many Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs into Damaturu and it’s environs for safety, which also led to increase in healthcare needs of the population. Therefore, Governor Buni who is committed to provision of accessible and quality healthcare services embarked on completion this project that is now put to use and saving millions of lives.
“It will interest you to know that, Kidney related diseases are so rampant in Yobe state, particularly amongst people residing in the communities along the Yobe/Kumadugu River, and to address the increasing menace of kidney failure, Governor Buni in collaboration with Ministry of Health and the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre located at the College of Medical Science, Yobe State University (YSU) runs free dialysis and treatment to over 600 patients on monthly basis at this institution, because treatment of renal failure is very costly to people, therefore, this is a great succuor to our people.
“As you are also aware of the forex exchange, most of the medical consumables are procured from foreign countries, and the average cost of dialysis per patient is about N50,000, but the State Government under the leadership of Governor Buni has graciously approved and directed free dialysis in this hospital”. Goni stated.
In another development, the media team were at the multi billion naira Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre located at the College of Medical Science, Yobe State University.
The Commissioner of Higher Education, Professor Bello Kawuwa and the Deputy Vice -Chancellor Administration of University ,Professor Musa Lawa, in their separate remarks, commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for establishing and equipping the Centre which has been attested to be one of the best in the country.
According to Professor Lawa, the Centre handles reported cases of Malaria, Kidney and Dementia as well as research programmes aimed to mitigate increase in outbreaks of diseases not only across Yobe state, but the North East in general.
“This Centre is a significant Life Saving Research point, because there were many false positive tests of Malaria conducted by many laboratories in hospitals and clinics, but after we collated those samples and tests, we rerun it and discovered that most of those false positive tests, proved negative beyond reasonable doubt, and you can imagine the danger it pose, as these patients were hitherto and wrongly administered with Malaria drugs, while they are negative, and is very dangerous to their health.
“Presently, this Centre is operating at its temporary site, but Governor Buni has started constructing the permanent site within the University community which is about 70% completion. When completed, we will move all our equipment to the new site, as we are still expecting more equipment abroad procured by the present administration.” He stated.
Also visited were the Yobe State International Cargo Airport, in which the present administration is making necessary arrangements to ensure it was put to full usage, so as to enhance economic development in the state.
The team also visited one of the seven newly completed and equipped Mega Primary and Secondary schools executed by Governor Buni led -administration including Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Centres in Damaturu metropolis and other local government areas, as well as township road and drainage projects situated in Damaturu, Gashua, Nguru, Buni, Gaidam and other major towns in the state
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