The Nasarawa State Government is working out a scheme that would mobilise indigenous Medical personnel of the State who are in private practice, to come over and put to good use the State ultra-modern Specialist Hospital, Lafia, and other General Hospitals that have been abandoned in the State.

In this regard, a team of Medical Consultants led by Dr. Dalhatu Araf, a renown Gynecologist held a discussion with the State Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Ramatu Abubakar, after which they paid a courtesy visit on the State Governor, Alh. Abdullahi Adamu.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Adamu expressed concern that the dearth of Medical Personnel, especially consultants was hindering his administration’s efforts at providing health care to the people.

Alh. Abdullahi Adamu said since his assumption of office, his administration has provided a wide range of the facilities needed to make the hospital functional. He said, under the scheme being worked out, qualified indigenous consultants would be employed on part-time basis.

He also said the government has contacted a number of countries including Egypt, Philippines and Romania, with the aim of employing their doctors to work together with the indigenous doctors.

Governor Abdullahi further said the government was considering making the hospital autonomous, adding that a governing board will soon be constituted for the hospital.

He intimated that, in its effort to provide adequate health services in the State, government has established a School of Health Technology and one of Nursing and Midwifery in the State.

He also said that his administration was planning another scheme under which abandoned General Hospitals across the State would be rented or leased to young doctors who lack the capital to set up their own hospitals.

Governor Abdullahi further explained that, under the scheme, government will look into modalities of assisting in the provision of drugs and other facilities to such rented hospitals under an agreement for sharing the cost and income with the doctors.

He expressed confidence that when the scheme takes-off, majority of people in the State will have access to good health care.

24 February 2000