Rakiya A.Muhammad, Sokoto
The federal government’s healthcare interventions have bolstered service delivery at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Sokoto, the Medical Director, Prof. Shehu Sale, disclosed.
He noted the interventions would deliver improved healthcare to the hard-to-reach communities in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to providing essential healthcare services.
The projects include construction and equipping of intensive care unit, construction and equipping of molecular laboratory, construction and equipping of isolation centre and procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
” We really appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for bolstering and funding healthcare delivery by these interventions meant to serve Nigerians, especially those living in Northwest states and other neighbouring countries,” the Medical Director stated.
He also lauded the Ministers for Health for the support to the hospital.
Sale said the interventions had prevented brain drain in the hospital, adding FNPH has diverse expertise with modern equipment providing efficient services at affordable rates compared with other facilities.
“The routine services along with the present COVID-19 interventions will serve as a booster and will make the hospital a hub of mental health treatment and other services,” he asserted
The Consultant Psychiatrist explained they set up the advanced molecular test laboratory as a Biosafety Level III (BSL III) Lab, capable of handling testing of infectious diseases of public health concerns such as various strains of Coronaviruses, Ebola Virus and Lassa Virus.
He noted early detection of these infections as critical to curbing their spread.
On the other projects, he stated: “The ICU is fitted with digital monitors and a central monitoring unit that allows for continuous monitoring of vital signs and provides a warning system for immediate intervention when needed.”
“A dialysis machine is available to support the care of patients who develop kidney failure. Ultrasonography is also available at bedside service using a mobile ultrasound machine.”
The FNPH boss added: “There is also a mobile digital X-ray machine stationed in the ICU for radiological investigation of COVID-19 infected patients who develop complications like respiratory(chest) infections or difficulties that will require an urgent x-ray of the chest.”
According to him, the interventions put the hospital on par with other tertiary health institutions in the country in the management of COVID-19 infection.
Sale recalled that PPE provision was a severe burden to the hospital before the Federal Government intervention, as the hospital spent scarce resources purchasing these items at exorbitant prices.
“We now have enough of PPE for staff to use daily. PPEs protect the frontline healthcare workers that manage infectious diseases treatment centres. It is only with an adequate supply of PPE that we can guarantee the safety of our staff and their protection against hazards.”
He expressed commitment to ensuring that the hospital reaches loftier heights.
