Governor, Babagana Zulum of Borno State has lamented the lack of basic amenities at the Goza General Hospital in Gwoza Local Government Area.
Decrying the decrepit state of the facility, the governor said it is unacceptable that a critical healthcare facility like the Gwoza General Hospital is deprived of basic amenities such as electricity and potable water.
Zulum, who was on a one-day working visit to Gwoza town, paid a surprise visit to the hospital at midnight on Saturday.
The governor has the habit of paying surprise visits at odd hours to hospitals and schools during classes in a bid to see realities for himself.
The governor has been to a number of hospitals in the middle of the night.
He expressed his dismay and disappointment at the state of the health facility after inspecting several sections of the hospital, saying that nobody brought the situation to his attention.
Zulum asserted that the deplorable conditions of the hospital can possibly hamper the efforts of dedicated healthcare professionals.
In his words: “It is unacceptable that a critical healthcare facility like the Gwoza General Hospital is deprived of basic amenities such as electricity.
“This situation compromises the quality of care provided to patients and hampers the efforts of our dedicated healthcare professionals.
“We are not here to trade blame; we are here to find solutions. Nobody brought to my knowledge the deplorable conditions of this place.”
He added, “I will neither exonerate myself nor the local government authority. We (all) have failed to provide what is needed. However, I want to assure you (patients and the rest of the people) that insha’Allah, we will fix this, we will make the working environment here better than it is now.”
As part of measures to change the situation he saw, Governor Zulum on Saturday night ordered the immediate commencement of rehabilitation works which will include power restoration at the General Hospital in Gwoza.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum was impressed with medical staff who, despite the poor situation of the General Hospital, were on ground to provide services.
Zulum announced reward for all the staff for being dedicated in the face of challenges.
