The Nasarawa State Government says it is working to improve the welfare package of health workers to attract and retain qualified personnel in the state’s health facilities.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gwamna Gaza, disclosed this on Wednesday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the General Hospital, Nasarawa, in Nasarawa Local Government Area.
Gaza said the visit followed a video circulated on social media highlighting inadequate staffing at the hospital, which attracted the attention of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
He said the governor had directed the Ministry of Health to investigate the situation and provide an immediate solution.
The commissioner thanked the woman who recorded and circulated the video for drawing attention to the situation, adding that the ministry welcomed public observations and concerns about healthcare delivery.
However, he explained that patient turnout was usually low at weekends and that the midwife on duty had exercised poor judgment by failing to call for assistance from nurses in other sections of the hospital when the number of patients increased.
Gaza assured residents that measures were being taken to address the situation and prevent a recurrence.
On concerns about a reported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the commissioner urged Nasarawa residents not to panic.
He assured residents that the government had activated disease surveillance systems across the state.
According to him, the systems were operational at ward and local government levels to ensure the prompt detection of and response to any suspected case.
Gaza said disease surveillance and notification officers had been sensitised, while isolation centres had been activated and health facilities placed on alert to identify suspected symptoms.
He added that health facilities had been directed to promptly activate the relevant treatment protocols whenever a suspected case was identified.
The commissioner thanked Governor Sule for providing leadership and approving funds to strengthen preparedness against disease outbreaks, including Ebola and Lassa fever.
