FTH Gombe laments 13 million naira june power charge
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Chief Medical Director (CMD), Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Dr. Yusuf Abdullahi has bemoaned over 13million naira monthly power charge.
He urged the federal government to provide the facility alternative power supply, adding that bulk of the hospital’s revenue goes to servicing power.
The CMD made this disclosure during the virtual launch of vital equipment in Federal Teaching Hospital, State Specialist Hospital Gombe by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter Government Affairs Dr. George Akume and Executive Secretary of National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), Dr. Bello Maigari.
Donated items include; Ultrasound scan machine, Digital x-ray machine, Oxygen concentrators, Blood Pressure Apparatus, Delivery beds, Theatre beds, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Abdullahi noted that aside the money paid 13m naira paid to Jos Electricity Distribution Company the hospital has over 56 million outstanding without inclusion on cost for maintaining generator.
According to him, the provision of alternative power would make services in the hospital cheaper.
He said, “We are still appealing for interventions especially as it relates to alternative power source. It may interest you to know even last month what we paid more 13 million naira with 56 million naira outstanding. This is without adding the cost of running power generating set. These vital equipment will function optimally with power.
“There is no direct money coming to take care of such services, we really need to reduce the consumption of the national grid that will go a long way in making our services affordable and effective.
“We need more of ambulances and doctors call vehicles to take care of staff. Our vehicles are very old and they keep on breaking on daily basis and there are some of our equipment installed about 20 years ago that are obsolete and out of date when compared to 21st century medical care.”
While lauding government for the donation of equipment donated by NLTF and the Federal Government, said it would boost quality of service to humanity.
“The equipment are modern and of 21 century and over 100,000 patients have benefitted from the use of the vital equipment. We appreciate you for the donation and accept them as sign of love and sign of delivering good medical care to humanity,” he added.
Also speaking, Dr. Ishaq Shuaibu, Medical Director of State Specialist Hospital, while lauding the effort of government called for support in alternative power source to power the donated items.
He said constant power would make services regularly available.
“Over 10,800 patients have benefitted from the use of the vital equipment. Alternative power is one of the challenges of this hospital as it will ensure service is there 24/7.
“Call duty vehicles, ambulances are essential commodities here so that personnel can be transported freely to their service point at anytime,” Shuaibu said.
