By Edwin Phillip, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has ordered the arrest and prosecution of health workers allegedly involved in the sale of hospital equipment donated to a health facility in Umaisha Development Area of the state.
Sule described the alleged sale of the equipment as a serious act of misconduct and corruption, stressing that such actions amounted to a lack of concern for patients and the healthcare needs of residents.
The governor gave the directive on Wednesday during the inauguration of eight commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and board members at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia.
He also charged the newly appointed officials to uphold prudence, fairness, transparency, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Sule said he had directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, to investigate the matter and ensure that those found responsible were brought to justice.
He said the equipment had been donated by the member representing Umaisha/Ugya Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, who purchased them with his personal funds to improve conditions at the health facility.
According to the governor, the lawmaker recently provided mattresses, ceiling fans and standing fans after becoming concerned about the condition of the primary healthcare facility.
“A very honourable member from Umaisha/Ugya recently bought a lot of mattresses and all kinds of fans, standing fans, ceiling fans and the rest of that because he was concerned about what his local primary healthcare was undergoing,” Sule said.
He, however, said the lawmaker later returned to the facility and discovered that the donated items could not be accounted for.
“Few days back, he returned there and discovered that the officials of the hospital had actually sold those items. This is a terrible thing that will happen if you have people who do not mean well for Nasarawa State,” he said.
Sule said he expected the Commissioner for Health to submit a report on the matter by the end of the week.
“I am waiting for the honourable commissioner, and I expect that report by the end of this week,” the governor added.
The governor’s directive followed a confrontation on Monday between Sa’ad and staff of General Hospital, Umaisha, over equipment he said he donated to the facility.
In a video of the encounter that circulated on social media, the visibly angry lawmaker questioned hospital officials over the whereabouts of 50 orthopaedic mattresses, more than 50 ceiling fans and about 40 standing fans he said he purchased for patients at the facility.
“Doctor, you remember the last time I spoke with you about those orthopaedic mattresses? You remember what you told me? For Allah’s sake, don’t allow me to get upset,” Sa’ad was heard saying.
He also demanded an explanation over the missing electrical appliances.
“Where are the ceiling fans? Where are the ceiling fans? I bought more than 50 ceiling fans. The standing fans, I bought about 40. Where are they?” he asked.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the condition of patients at the hospital and demanded to see the mattresses, following reports that they were being moved between wards.
The governor’s directive is expected to be followed by an investigation by the state Ministry of Health to determine what happened to the donated equipment and establish responsibility for any alleged wrongdoing.
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