Sokoto State Governor Makes Surprise Visit to Troubled Specialist Hospital

Sokoto State Governor, Gov. Ahmad Aliyu, made an unexpected visit to the Sokoto Specialist Hospital on Monday to evaluate the quality of services provided by the facility. This move was prompted by growing concerns raised by citizens of the state regarding subpar service delivery. The governor’s Press Secretary, Malam Abubakar Bawa, confirmed this development in a statement released on the same day in Sokoto.

During the unannounced visit, Gov. Ahmad Aliyu aimed to personally assess the condition of the health facility. Several issues had been brought to his attention, including dilapidated structures, unreliable power supply, a shortage of qualified staff, and non-functional medical equipment. To gather firsthand information from the hospital workers, the governor chose to arrive at the hospital in a tricycle, surprising both the staff and patients.

Expressing his dismay, Gov. Ahmad Aliyu stated, “I was surprised by what I witnessed during my four-hour visit to the hospital. It provided me with an opportunity to witness the situation firsthand.” He further expressed concern about the hazardous conditions faced by patients and their families, which stemmed from the hospital’s unclean environment and lack of functional equipment. Additionally, due to the inconsistent electricity supply within the hospital premises, patients’ relatives were forced to rely on alternative power sources.

Governor Ahmad Aliyu promptly directed the hospital management to schedule a meeting with him to discuss strategies for addressing the prevailing issues. He emphasized the urgent need to rectify the situation and improve the hospital’s overall conditions.

A reliable source within the hospital’s top management informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the current poor state of affairs was a result of past administrations in the state failing to release the allocated monthly funds to the hospital. The negligence of these administrations contributed to the deteriorating state of the facility, leading to the present concerns and substandard service delivery.

Efforts are now being made by the Sokoto State government, under the leadership of Gov. Ahmad Aliyu, to rectify the issues plaguing the Sokoto Specialist Hospital. This unannounced visit by the governor serves as a testament to his commitment to improving healthcare services and ensuring the well-being of the state’s citizens.