Pre’table deaths are problems confronting my p’ple-Binani’s bill to establish MAU Teaching hospital

A follow up motion to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yola to a University Teaching Hospital which was passed on the 11th July, 2019 after a unanimous decision by this hallowed chamber was debated.

Senator Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru Binani representing Adamawa central debated yet another bill that will see to the establishment of Modibbo Adama University teaching hospital Yola.

Binani while debating the bill at the senate chambers on Wednesday said preventable hospital deaths have become one of the problems confronting the people of Adamawa State.

According to her It is on record that the maternal mortality rate at FMC Yola is higher (7.2%) than the National average (5.7%) with most deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission.

“This is in addition to the ever increasing under-five mortality rate and other preventable deaths resulting from high risk epidemic outbreaks involving malaria, Lassa fever, acute watery diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, measles, yellow fever, meningitis, cholera, malnutrition, etc. that the presence of a teaching hospital can ameliorate.” Binani said

Aisha in the motion drew the attention of of other senators to the precarious health conditions of the people in Adamawa state that necessitates the presence of a teaching hospital.

In the bill Binani argued that;

“These conditions have far reaching consequences that affect everyone in the state. Conditions such as the proximity of a teaching hospital to Adamawa State in terms of distance, time and money is one of the major hindrances that have contributed to the poor health care delivery in the state.

“Unlike other states where citizens can reach these services within a distance of 100km, Adamawa State residents, many of whom are very low income earners, are compelled to travel over 344km to Bauchi, 400km to Maiduguri, 500km to Jos and 800km to Abuja to access this health care service. Considering that farming and grazing are the major occupation of the people, the financial implications of reaching such medical care is beyond them. As a result it has become common place for citizens to give up on loved ones to die from preventable diseases either at home, on the way to or few hours after arriving lower Hospitals.

“Consequently, preventable hospital deaths have become one of the problems confronting the people of Adamawa State. It is on record that the maternal mortality rate at FMCY is higher (7.2%) than the National average (5.7%) with most deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission. This is in addition to the ever increasing under-five mortality rate and other preventable deaths resulting from high risk epidemic outbreaks involving malaria, Lassa fever, acute watery diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, measles, yellow fever, meningitis, cholera, malnutrition, etc. that the presence of a teaching hospital can ameliorate.

“Additionally, the growing population of the people has outmatched the medical care service provided in the state. Presently, there are about 11 specialist physicians and surgeons to about 4 million people compared to about 105 specialists physicians and surgeons to 5million people in Borno, about 80 medical officers/residents to 4 million in Adamawa as against 108 to 5 million in Borno. The presence of a Teaching Hospital in Yola will provide the medical facilities, specialists physicians and surgeons, residents, medical officers/ doctors and train student doctors to take charge of most needed services.

“Adamawa State’s 4 million population compares favorably with the population of Abia and Ebonyi states with 3 million and 2 million respectively which already have teaching hospitals.

“More so, the commencement of taught medical courses at Modibo Adama University makes the establishment of a teaching hospital a necessity for both teachers and students.

“This Bill, when passed, will have no immediate financial burden on the Federal Government treasury as the facilities for the immediate take off of the proposed Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola is already in place.

“The Federal Medical Centre has over 250 beds which are over and above University of Uyo’s 250 beds at the time of its transformation to a teaching hospital. Minimal financial input is required since the hospital already has 20 specialists in different fields including intern doctors, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists; fully equipped laboratory services including histopathology, physiotherapy, ethology, orthopedic, and hematology.

“The presence of a university teaching hospital is desirable, understanding that such Federal service will usher in business and employment opportunities to a large number of unemployed youth in the state.

“I call on you, therefore, to unanimously support this Bill as you did the motion to reduce the cries and suffering of my people- the people of Adamawa State.”