BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Medical Director, Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Sokoto, Professor Shehu Sale, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari led administration over the the release of COVID-19 interventions funds, which according to him is yielding positive impact on service delivery in hospitals.
Prof. Shehu, who is a Consultant Psychiatric, Board Certified Child and Adolescent, a Master Trainer of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), gave the commendation during an interview with our correspondent in Sokoto.
He said the Federal Government had funded new major projects in the state through its COVID-19 interventions.
While stressing that the Minister of State for Health, Sen. Adele Mamora has been instrumental towards achieving numerous successes in the hospital, Prof Shehu listed the projects to include; construction and equipping of intensive care unit, molecular laboratory, isolation centre and procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) amongst others.
”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 recently completed advanced molecular laboratory is designed to carry out basic and advanced diagnostic testing for communicable and non-communicable diseases.
” Set up as a Biosafety Level III (BSL III) Laboratory, it is capable of handling testing of infectious diseases of public health concerns such as various strains of Coronaviruses, Ebola Virus as well as Lassa Virus.
” Early detection of these infections is of paramount importance to curb the spread of these potentially deleterious organisms.
“The advance molecular test laboratory is meant for COVID-19 test in the hospital as well as other viruses and high precision test, which before now the hospital have to source such service in sister federal hospital at a fee ’’, Prof Shehu said…
As regard the well equipped laboratory, Prof Shehu said its fully automated Chemistry, Immunology, Haematology and Microbiology equipment would help in carrying out supportive testing required in the treatment of patients on Isolation and those in critical care as well.
He said the newly constructed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which is the state-of-the-art medical equipment has ease their jobs of attending to the care of both paediatric and adult patients requiring intensive care services.
” The ICU is fitted with digital monitors and a central monitoring unit that allow for continuous monitoring of vital signs and provides warning system for immediate intervention when needed. Additionally, a dialysis machine is available to support the care of patients who develop kidney failure.
“Ultrasonography is also available at bedside service using mobile ultrasound machine. 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.
“This development has put the hospital in terms of standard with other tertiary health institutions in the country in the management of COVID-19 infection”.
While noting that the hospital will soon have its own Isolation center, Prof Shehu thanked the Federal Government for the large quantity of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) being provided for them.
He noted that it will provide protection to the frontline healthcare workers, guarantee their safety and save cost for them.
“And in order to ensure accountability and transparency, the hospital is currently digitalizing all its service centers and will soon operate a paper-less transaction at all points within the hospital.
”This has already been implemented at medical records registration and payment of hospital fees stations. This step has greatly reduced patients waiting time and increased the internally generated revenue in the hospital”.
”Also to address the challenges of irregular electricity supply to the hospital, alternative power supply using solar inverters have been installed at the administrative building, out-patient department, medical records department, Pharmacy, Intensive care unit, isolation center, molecular laboratory and some of the hospital wards ” Prof Shehu recounted.
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