Terrorism has made our doctors to either quit or relocate –UNIMAIDTH boss

The Chief Medical Director of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, says the activities of insurgents in the North East is severely affecting the operations of the facility.

Ahidjo told the newsmen in Maiduguri on Friday that the insecurity created by insurgency has disrupted normal service deliveries in the hospital.

According to him, the threats posed by insurgents has forced some medical and healthcare personnel to either quit or relocate.

He, therefore, advocated collaborative support to the hospital to enhance quality healthcare service delivery in the Northeast.

The CMD said that the appeal was imperative to addressing the challenges posed by insurgency, demystify its operations and enhance healthcare service delivery in the region.

Ahidjo noted that the hospital deserves support from all levels of government, individuals, development and corporate organisations to enable it to meet the needs of the growing population.

“I am calling on good people of Borno to support the hospital to enhance its operations. It is our pride and we should support it.

“Many health personnel had left and there is a high influx of people into Maiduguri due to the insurgency. The trend overstretches our capacity to meet the specialised health needs of society.

“We need support to improve the personnel and their skills; initiate new programmes and upgrade existing facilities to provide quality healthcare services which have a direct impact on the people,” he said.

According to him, the management had initiated viable projects to upgrade its bed capacity and facilities, staff capacity development and improvement of personnel welfare.

Ahidjo disclosed that the hospital had embarked on the construction of the ultra-modern trauma centre to address medical complications and health needs of people in the region.

He explained that the centre was designed with an about 150-bed capacity, accident and emergency unit, surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, among others.

The CMD added that arrangement had reached an advanced stage for the construction of a 150-bed capacity child institute to enhance paediatrics healthcare services, whilst plans were underway to upgrade its kidney centre to a 200-bed capacity.

“In view of the ageing population and increased incidents of stroke in the society, we also plan to build a new 150-bed capacity stroke centre to cater for geriatrics patients,” he said.

The CMD commended the Federal and Borno State Governments, PCNI and ICRC over their support to the hospital.

The hospital was inaugurated on July 23, 1983, by late President Shehu Shagari, as the pioneer teaching hospital in the northeast region.

The hospital has over 3,000 staff, including 200 specialist doctors, 400 physicians, 800 nurses and other cadres of staff.

It also operates outreach centres at Madagali, Banki, Potiskum and Federal Secretariat, Maiduguri.

(NAN)