The hospital established 60 years ago means different things to different people. BASHIR MOHAMMED writes that due to high cost, only the affluents can afford it’s services at the moment.
Sixty years in the life of an establishment like the National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH) Dala in Kano requires a thorough appraisal in order to be kept abreast about its operations over the years.When the centre was cited in the heart of Kano right from the colonial times, it was seen by many as a great blessing not only to the people of Kano, but all the sorrounding states in the northern part of the country and by extension the neighbouring Republic of Niger.
NOH, according to feelers, had been known to play host to patients in critical conditions emanating from ghastly motor accidents which often times claim the lives of thousands of citizens, while a few who escape by whiskers sustain fractures leading to hospitalisation for injuries relating to bone complications.As a medical outfit saddled with the responsibility of attending to patients with bone complications, therefore, the hospital had over the years achieved record-breaking surgeries on those who nearly lost their limbs, feet and other parts of the body.
It was gathered that inpatients were being properly taken care of from what they paid individually; however, the provision of food and necessary drinks were being provided to make them comfortable in the heat of their appalling health conditionScurity within and outside the hospital, according to investigation, is watertight, as unknown visitors are not allowed to mill around as security operatives at the hospital entrances subject every visitor to rigorous checks before being allowed in.
When NOH hosted dignitaries
Just recently, the hospital’s 60th anniversary was celebrated with pomp and pageantry, considering the fact that its location is within the precinct of the famous Dala Mountain where the ancient travellers that established Kano settled and created their dynasty for over centuries ago.
The epoch-making celebration was indeed made colourful by the presence of eminent personalities from all walks of life including his eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, minister of state for health, Emir of Kano, Muhamadu Sanusi II, deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Nasir Yusuf Gawuna and a retinue of experts in orthopaedic field and a host of others.
It was during the event that the state government through the deputy governor showcased its formidable blueprint on the institutionalisation of an all-encompassing health care system that can stand the test of time.Kano gov’t unveiled healthcare plans
The Ganduje-administration had expressed its determination to ensure efficient and effective healthcare delivery by revitalising its primary health care centres across the 484 wards in the state with the deputy governor describing Ganduje as a true champion of heath care revolution.
He said the administration has commenced strengthening the provision of primary health care through the implementation of the minimum service package as recently espoused by the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Gawuna maintained that the state government places high premium on saving the live of women and children through the provision of essential health services both at the primary and secondary levels.
“Our administration under the leadership of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has completed and equipped the ultra-modern Khalifa Sheik Isyaka Rabi’u Peadiatric Hospital at Zoo Road and Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital at Giginyu with the state-of-health equipment.
“His Excellency is currently constructing one of the largest standard cancer centres in Kano and has upgraded Muhammad Abdullahi Wase to the status of a teaching hospital and has since commenced residency training in O&G and Radiology while awaiting accreditation in other departments,” Gawuna announced.
He further noted that despite the current economic realities, the administration has dedicated up to 16% of the 2020 budget to the health sector which, according to him, is said to be more than the 15% recommended in the Abuja Declaration.
“In strengthening access to numerous outreach programmes as well as emergency services, just recently, an eye outreach was conducted across five emirates and about 21,000 people benefited from surgeries, eye glasses and treatment. Also, emergency services have been strengthened,” he retorted Commenting on the long existing cordial relationship between the state and Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, the acting governor revealed that significant number of the health specialists particularly nurses and other paramedics received their training in the hospital, acknowledging that, “Our people remained the major beneficiaries of the services being rendered by the hospital.”
The sultan’s remarks
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, explained that there are two key issues that as leaders, they hold so dearly to their heart. These, he said, include education and health.
He said, “This hospital means a lot to so many of us. One, you know the importance of health because health is wealth. If you are not healthy, you can’t even worship the Almighty who brought you into the world.
“In the last 11 years, we have paid so much energy and time to ensure our people are healthy. We have fought polio to a standstill and for three and a half years, there was no polio in Nigeria which is the handiwork of Allah (SWT) through the traditional rulers of the northern states,” the sultan said.
In his address, the minister of state for health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora appreciated the state government’s effort in repositioning the hospital and by extension in strengthening the health sector in the state.
Earlier, the chief medical director, Dr Muhammad Nuhu Salihu, expressed gratitude to the federal government and state government in particular for taking special interest by providing fund to complete some projects in the hospital.
He, however, explained that there are three schools that are producing health workers around the hospital and about 1,000 students had already graduated from such schools, stressing that, “This institution has produced 90% of all the orthopaedic surgeons, bones and plastic surgeons practising in the whole of northern Nigeria and 50% in the whole country.”
It is an indisputable fact that the 60th year anniversary of the hospital had elicited reactions from notable stakeholders in the health sectors who are of the opinion that its location at heart of Kano is a solution to the predicament being encountered by those involved in ghastly motor accidents.
Former patients bare their minds
In the words of a former inmate at the hospital, Alhaji Shehu Damargu, he is impressed by the successful operation conducted in his right leg at the time he completely lost hope due to the complex fracture he sustained, adding that it had happened when he could not even afford to settle the admission fees requested.
“Let me tell you that what the hospital was charging at the time was infinitesimal but as you know, money was hard to come by, no matter how little, even though the money had huge value. I was made to regain my leg and work on my feet like every other person through the intervention of a philanthropist.”
As I am watching the unfolding events now, gaining admission in the hospital is almost beyond the reach of an ordinary person. One has to be affluent enough to afford the medical bill in case of admission. The nature of one’s precarious condition counts as one would not mind to be bed ridden once the means to confront the financial challenges are available,” he stressed.
“The way I see it, it is the responsibility of the federal government to provide a special subsidy to those in dire need of medical attention. The hospital is not for the ordinary person. In a democratic era like this, the political elites are supposed to be compassionate to those who voted them to power,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, a female patient, Hajiya Zainab Shuaibu, who got admitted in the hospital four years ago, told Blueprint that even though she had a successful operation in both legs, she was still walking on crouches. According to her, having spent a year recuperating in the hospital, she had to leave before time because remaining in the hospital is a huge cost that can only be afforded by the affluent.
She pointed out that there was the compelling need for the government to subsidise the operations of the hospital to the level a common man can afford. She said in times of serious motor accident, a common man would be left at the mercy of compassionate wealthy individuals and philanthropists. It was therefore the general opinion of persons that there is a need for the federal government to extend financial support to the premier hospital to enable it wax stronger at the time the common man’s expectations are higher.
