Two years since Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, took the mantle of leadership to steer the affairs of Kebbi state, as governor, the health sector an addition to agriculture has taken a turn for good, raising hope of an improved healthcare delivery for the people of Kebbi. As part of commemoration of his two years in office, barely a month ago, about 29 American Medical Doctors were in the state and offered free medical services to all categories of health seekers at the Specialist Hospital Kalgo, near the state capital, Birnin Kebbi,
Governor Bagudu, has by this programme reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing healthcare facilities to the people, especially the less privileged and with the same token, fulfilled his campaign promises. Although his critics think the governor has not performed up to their expectations, since inception the government has made a giant stride in the area of renovations and rehabilitation of all its general hospitals across the state which include; the provision of the state of arts modern healthcare facilities and recruitment of qualified personnel to man the hospitals.
The idea of bringing in the American Doctors is to boost the health sector by providing medical outreach with free drugs, performing free surgery and treatment.
On a daily basis the hospital was field to capacity by people with different ailments seeking for medical attention by the joint American and indigenous doctors while the women and children top the list. Earlier, Senator Atiku Bagudu, had directed all local government sole administrators in the state to ensure that logistics and feeding of the patients are adequately provided, as well paid them a visit periodically to serve as morale booster to the patients especially those with delicate cases.
During one of his visits to the specialist hospital to monitor the medical out reach the governor thanked the medical team for job well done and impressive performance. Also, he commended the officials of the ministry for making it all round success while assuring that Kebbi State government would continue to welcome American citizens, people from Chile and other part of the world to embark on tourism to kebbi state to see its cultural heritage.
He further announced that he and his wife Dr. Zainab Atiku Bagudu, would sponsor the expenses of any medical personnel from kebbi state interested in performing similar outreach elsewhere in the country, stressing that contributors to ways of improving healthcare services and proper management of the Specialist Hospital Kalgo are always welcome and their contributions would be highly appreciated and acknowledged.
However, the Permanent Secretary in the Health ministry Dr. Muhammed Atiku Kende, disclosed that thousands of patients with different ailments were attended to by the American doctors and served free drugs. He further noted that the visit by the team for the second time has impacted positively to raising the level of health service to the people, adding that the indigenous doctors would continue from where their American counterparts stopped and urged health-seekers to take advantage of it.
He commended Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu- led administration for according utmost priority to the health sector which according to him since inception has done remarkably very well in providing and improving the health care system.
Speaking to newsmen before their departure recently, the leader of the medical mission team Dr. Iko Ibanga, commended the state government for constructing the specialist hospital to the required standard and thanked the governor for making their visit possible and rewarding.
He advised that to continue to maintain the hospital standard, is mandatory for government to make value and quality the main objectives of service to be provided by the hospital and make every staff feel important in the operation of the hospital.
Also speaking the Coordinator of the programme Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, told the American Doctors that, the administration of Governor Atiku Bagudu, has recognized the importance of healthcare, agriculture and education which have continued to receive the necessary attention from the governor.
A cross section of patients who spoke to Blueprint expressed delight over the way the visiting American doctors handled their cases within a shortest possible time of their stay in the state. Malam Abdullahi Adamu Kola, said “For long I have been suffering from eyesight and I have visited many hospitals within and outside the state but am now feeling better because I almost gain back my sight” He thanked the governor for the assistance rendered to them.
Hajiya Hauwa’u Sahabi Bunza, who had undergone a successful surgical operation narrated that she now felt the impact of government and have a sense of belonging, adding that over the years her husband had spent much money for her ailment but now she is better.
Meanwhile political observers in the state have described the efforts of the Bagudu- led administration especially in the health sector as a step forward to the right direction as well as won the support of the electorate, noting that for long the sector which was ignored by previous administrations needed a complete overhauling and restructuring because of it sensitivity.
According to a PDP chieftain, Alhaji Abdullahi Yauri, opposition apart, the performance of the governor in healthcare delivery is worthy of commendation as it impacted greatly on the wellbeing of the people of the state, maintaining that: “I have no iota of doubt that the government’s programmes on healthcare delivery system would be a success”
