The Social Democratic Party SDP, Governorship Candidate in Taraba State, Honorable Danladi Baido says he will prioritize the health sector to ensure every Taraban enjoys adequate health care delivery service if he emerges the governor of the State come 2023
Honorable Biado who stated this in an exclusive chat with Ziti News expressed shock at the dilapidated state of the Specialist Hospital Jalingo where he visited some ill relatives recently adding that His administration will ensure all key sectors that benefits especially the rural poor masses will be given special attention.
“I am deeply hurt by the bad shape this specialist hospital has become, I was part of the government that built and fully equipped this hospital to benefit Tarabans” Baido lamented
If elected come 2023, I will put everything back in shape and even more, I did in my constituency, and my people are enjoying quality healthcare, I will like to return Taraba State to its lost glory” He assured.
Meanwhile our correspondent who visited the Specialist Hospital in jalingo recently observed that the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in and around the specialist hospital environment may also lead to further health crises if nothing is done to curtail it urgently.
The State School of Nursing and Midwifery, which shares boundaries with the Specialist hospital is not spared as the once stronghold of learning in the Northeast region of Nigeria, has become a haven for dangerous reptiles and grazing fields for cattle due to its neglect too.
The college, built by a former governor Jolly Nyame, and situated in the heart of Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, is a shadow of its old self, following lukewarm attitude of the current state government towards its rehabilitation.
Apart from the reptiles that are now having a field day in the school premises, unwanted plants have taken over the school premises.
The current situation of the institution, which is not only imparting negatively on the students, also affect the staff and management of the school.
Members of the staff, who spoke to Ziti News cited the dilapidated structures and failure of government to insert the right peg in the right hole as reasons for the institution’s continuous devaluation.
A staff member who pleaded anonymity said: “This condition has forced our school to remain behind the standards required of Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery in the country.
“Lack of lecture halls and other academic inputs is currently hindering accreditation of many courses, which we believe a serious government would have tackled, for the progress of the school and produce quality health personnel in the state.
“Due to this situation, lecturers have to take the pain of renting apartments and paying for transport or fueling their vehicles to school on a daily basis even though we do not have required materials and environment to groom young health engineers.”
Some students said unwanted weeds that have taken over the school premises make it impossible for them to come around to read at night.
“I learnt that those engaged to take care of the premises have all left due to government’s inability to offset their bills,” the student said.
Also, an official of the ministry of tertiary institution, said: “The fault is not from us here in the ministry, but the state government for ceasing to release monthly running costs to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).”