FMC Yola battles political smear over record death rate

In any community, the establishment of a health care centre could be a thing of joy. However, when that centre is engrossed in controversy, patients and other persons in need of its services will be greatly affected and that has been the situation plaguing the medical centre A Labour Party gubernatorial aspirant in the state, […]

In any community, the establishment of a health care centre could be a thing of joy. However, when that centre is engrossed in controversy, patients and other persons in need of its services will be greatly affected and that has been the situation plaguing the medical centre A Labour Party gubernatorial aspirant in the state, Alhaji Adamu Modibbo, ‘mistakenly’ alleged that due to power outage, no fewer than 12 kids died inside incubators in the hospital.

The aspirant, who was at a campaign rally, erroneously referred to the state government-owned Yola Specialist Hospital as FMC, Yola. The remark stirred condemnations against the hospital, prompting some patients to have a re-think. As a result, patients have abandoned the medical centre and, instead, travel over a hundred kilometers to FMC, Gombe, to seek medical attention.

During a visit, some patients who spoke to Sunday Trust were still skeptical about the condition of the hospital, though some were still anxious to consult doctors over their ailments.

When contacted, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Aliyu Danburam, denied that kids were passing on due to lack of power supply. “It’s absolutely false that kids died due to lack of power supply because FMC, Yola is one hospital that enjoys almost 24 hours power supply. We also have 24 hours water supply. And if there awas no water, as stated by the aspirant, how would it be possible to have this green environment all over the place? We have more than adequate water supply hence we maintain green areas in the hospital that is located in a semi desert area-like, Yola,” Dr Danburam said.

“The issue of kids passing on in our incubators because of lack of electricity supply is absolutely false. There is no such thing here, and, I believe, the politician is talking from an uninformed position. Maybe it happened in another hospital but not here,” he said.

Danburam pointed out that since the utterance was made by the politician on a political programme over a radio station, he has received series of phone calls by people trying to verify the allegation.

According to the CMD  it was wrong to misconstrue the number of deaths being recorded from the hospital mortuary to mean the actual deaths recorded in the course of conduct of it professional  duties.

“Majority of the deaths being recorded in the hospital are patients with terminal ailments brought as a last resort from other health centers in the state who easily give up before they are even admitted formally,’ he said.

He further told Sunday Trust that others are corpses deposited in the hospital mortuary saying, “It is this hospital that has the best mortuary. Therefore, when it is announced in the media that certain corpses will be picked at the FMC, Yola, people tend to conclude that all the deaths were recorded in the hospital.”

Dr Danburam also revealed that the FMC in the state was receiving a lot of patronage from within and outside, thereby forcing the management to create additional wards. He stated, however, that those who prefer to go to FMC, Gombe from the state are mostly HIV/AIDS patients who fear being identified by their friends, kiths and kin.

He noted that unlike in the past, FMC, Yola, has reinvigorated its services through massive expansion of facilities and training of doctors, nurses and other specialized manpower for effective service delivery to its teeming patients.

In his words “As a hospital, we know that medical care is dynamic. People need to be trained and retrained and with that in mind, we have been able to send workers for specialized training in teaching hospitals across the country.”

The CMD maintained that,  “what you will find at the centre is a group of staff, nurses and physicians, working together to find the best and most effective treatment for you. We thrive on challenges and excel in collaboration. That way you get the best of all worlds with regard to your care. We handle the toughest and most advanced cases in the region. Regardless of your area of service, you’ll find experience, compassion, and innovation,’’ he told Sunday Trust.

While the Medical Director takes pride in every service they provide, some patients spoken to were skeptical in view of alleged non caring attitude by some personnel in the hospital.

While narrating his experience, a male patient who pleaded anonymity, told Sunday Trust that, ’’I went to FMC because I had a mild fever, but I was not told about the state of my health. All I was told by the doctor, after series of examinations, was to be admitted. For what? The doctor only told me to be silent and try getting ready for admission. I took my complaint to a nearby dispensary in town where I was diagnosed and treated.’’

His view seems to represent the views of other patients who could not bear the long protocol and process of being diagnosed when a patient goes to the hospital.

They further advised that the problem of stock outs in the pharmacy, theatre, store, laboratory, store and the catering department, should be improved  upon.

Though, in a swift reaction to these feelings, Dr Danburam noted that the reasons for the perceived delay could not be unconnected with the fact that, “FMC, Yola wants you to receive quality care. As a patient in the hospital, it is important to realize that you have both rights and responsibilities. This summary of patients’ rights and responsibilities describe how you can participate in receiving quality care. Complete information regarding your rights and responsibilities are available in a booklet form from the Center SEVICOM UNIT. Feel free to discuss this list with your doctor or the head nurse in your unit,’’ he advised.