Fractures and other forms of bone dislocation are common challenges people face almost on a daily basis as result of accidents. Accidents that result in fractures or dislocation are more rampant in towns with so many commercial motorcyclists, as most of them ride with reckless abandon, and Sokoto state is not left out in this ordeal. Majority of the drivers in the state don’t also respect the traffic rules, and this situation has also increased rampant cases of accidents which has led to loss of lives or serious fractures.
Accident victims with fractures usually ended up in traditional ‘bone setters’, because of either absence of orthopedic centre around the place or due to financial constraint on the victims.
For over forty years, the idea of special treatment of bone related diseases especially fracture was made reality with the establishment of the orthopedic hospital in the major cities of Lagos, Enugu and Kano.
A typical example of the traditional bone setters in the far north-west was Aliero town, the headquarters of Aliero local government in the present Kebbi state. In the 1980s people from all walks of life, especially, within the neighboring Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger state trooped to Aliero for the bone setting. This resulted in government intervention, a standard hospital was constructed to enhance the activities of bone setters, but with less attention, the centre failed to function properly.
The idea of constructing a befitting orthopedic hospital in Sokoto state by the administration of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, became paramount, considering the rampant cases of accidents amongst the motorist and motorcyclist in the State, and other bone related diseases. The Wamakko orthopedic centre would be seen as a saving ground to not only people of Sokoto state but the entire far north-west states of Kebbi and Zamfara, and even people from neighboring country such as Niger Republic.
The 800 million orthopedic hospital, due for commissioning, has already recruited six consultants, 30 nurses, modern laboratory equipment and befitting twin theatre. Reaffirming the government commitment to the orthopedic centre, Governor Wamakko said necessary equipments would be provided to save patients the hassles of travelling to Kano or even overseas in search of treatment.
According to him, the orthopedic hospital would be equipped with state-of-the art facilities of international standard for the delivery of orthopedic care to the citizens of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States and Niger Republic.
“The establishment of this hospital would go a long way in reducing the suffering faced by accident victims, especially those with fracture or dislocation of bones that had to travel to Kano State or abroad in order to get treatment.
“As you are aware, we record accidents daily in the state and victims are being referred to orthopedic hospital in Kano and Egypt or India for treatment due to lack of facilities in the state.
“So, I am really delighted with the establishment of the Orthopedic Hospital in Sokoto and I believe the case of referring accidents victims to Kano and other places will be a thing of the past, as the hospital will cater for the patients in the three states,” he said.
Wamakko said workers would have better treatment in terms of welfare and other incentives to make the centre attractive to the qualified health professionals, especially, in bones.
The commissioner of health, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu said after careful study of rampant cases of accidents in the society, a consultant was engaged by the government on how best to establish an orthopedic hospital in order to address the problem and difficulties being faced by accident victims suffering from fractures.
He said that, the project is no doubt capital intensive, but considering its importance to the generality of people, the government was committed to pump huge amount in the procurement of the quality equipment such as x-ray machines and other related facilities and medicaments.
The commissioner further urged the workers to be friendlier with the incoming patients, so that the environment would be very accommodating to them.
He however, explained that, attention was focused in the rehabilitation and construction of numerous health institutions in the state, in an effort to improve the health standard of the people.
