By Kassim Omomia
Member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Saidu Musa Abdullahi, has, raised the alarm over scarcity of medical doctors in Niger State.
He spoke at a public hearing on the Bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bida, Niger State, organized by the House Committee on Health Institutions, lamenting the dearth of doctors
According to him, the situation is so pathetic that the doctor ratio population was one doctor to 9000 patients
Abdullahi who sponsored the Bill, told stakeholders at the hearing that the national precarious situation of few doctors taking on a large number of patients was far better that the Niger situation. In the national case, he said it was one to 4000, worse still than the recommended WHO, of one doctor to 600 patients for effective health care services
He regretted the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 100 deaths per 1000 live births and an under-five mortality rate of 149 deaths per 1000 live births in the state and reasoned that the situation can only be normal if there abundant health care givers , doctors, nurses and others in the state
According to him , a recent survey by National Demographic Health Survey showed that Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 100 deaths per 1000 live births and an under-five mortality rate of 149 deaths per 1000 live births, adding that Niger state has the highest under 5 mortality in the North central geo-political zone of Nigeria and above the national average of 128 deaths per 1000 live births.
Conversely, Niger state has one of the highest numbers of under 5 years children with fever, seeking medical attention from health facilities or healthcare providers (73.2%), above North central average of 71.8%, National average of 63.4%. The pronounced disproportions in health outcomes and access to health services in Niger state raises the question about the availability of qualified health care professionals,” he said.
He said it is on record that Niger State is the only state in North-Central Nigeria that has no degree awarding institution in medicine and health sciences.
The current situation, he said, is unacceptable considering the strategic importance of Niger State in the scheme of events in the country.
He said the overall objective of the Bill is to secure a national mandate to teach and train high calibre health-care professionals, provide healthcare services and to operate various schools and specialties that offer exemplary training and quality research in health care.
He said once the university comes on stream, it will provide more opportunities and fair chance for Nigerians seeking to pursue careers in the medical sciences and most importantly address medical workforce shortfall in the country.
He said the sad state of affairs in health sector of Niger State is the justification for the establishment of the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Niger State.
“Our choice of the ancient town of Bida for siting of the proposed University of Medicine and Health Sciences is because it currently has a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) which would serve the training needs of the proposed university. The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida has a reservoir of highly trained and skilled manpower consisting of officers trained in the all the disciplines known to medicine. Additionally, FMC Bida has accompanying assets and infrastructure which will be useful for the take-off of the proposed university,” he said.
Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the Bill, one of five considered by the Committee, seeks to alter the architecture of the nation’s public health services in ways that would improve the lives of the people, either through increasing options available for medical training or providing access to medical facilities in places where there is an evident need.
Chairman of the Committee, Pascal Obi, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Martins Oke, said it was the legislative agenda of the 9th assembly to make it it a point of duty to deal with bills before it with urgently and diligence they deserve.
