MD, FMC Nguru want shortage of manpower, other challenges addressed

By Mohammed Kaka Misau

The Medical Director of Federal Medical Center Nguru, Yobe state, Dr. Abubakar Musa has called on the federal government of Nigeria to address the challenges affecting the smooth operation of the center for efficient and effective service delivery.

Dr. Abubakar Musa who made the call during the commissioning ceremony of some projects executed by the management of the center on Thursday, said a lot of vacuum have been created at the center due to retirement and other factors.

“Hon. Minister Dr. Sen. Adeleke Olarunnimbe Mamora, as I welcome you to commission these legacy projects, permit me to highlight a few challenges we face as a center”, the medical director requested.

He pleaded with the Minister to use his good office towards addressing the challenges that have retarded the progress of the hospital which he said include, manpower shortage.

“We have a lot of people migrating through resignation, termination of appointment, retirement, transfer of service and death”, he explained.

According to the Medical Director, “presently Sir, our nurses staff strength is made up of more than 50 percent of local nurses”.

The Medical Director who said that the hospital is facing challenge in the area of electricity supply, though a general challenge, pleaded with the federal government to help address the issue.

“Hon. Minister Sir, as you go round, you will appreciate the verse nature of our hospital. We are located in a rural area,we used to get rural allowances but it has been withdrawn. The withdrawal has dampened the morale of our staff. So we plead that the rural allowances be restored to boost the morale of our dedicated staff”, the MD said.

He equally appealed to the federal government to increase budgetary allocation to the center to enable it purchase high tech equipments such as CT scan, MRI, among others.

The medical director expressed appreciation to the federal government for creating the enabling environment for the staff of the FMC Nguru to operate.

“The healthcare reform in the next level health agenda has not only made the clime good but also promises a good and better future for the health sector”, Dr. Musa said.

Responding, the Hon. Minister of health, Senator Adeleke assured the medical director that all the challenges he highlighted have been noted.

He said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is doing everything humanly possible to address manpower shortage and other challenges in every sector of the economy.