IN DEFENCE OF ADAMAWA GERMAN MEDICAL CENTRE YOLA

By su'ukume Tebe.

Our attention as Concerned Citizens and Stakeholders in Adamawa State has been drawn to a publication titled "ADAMAWA OPERATING ILLEGAL HOSPITAL" in Indigo's edition of 27-3rd September 2020, containing a byline of one Sahid Umar.

The said Sahid Umar, whose claims dwelled much on the rationale behind the legality of establishing Adamawa German Medical Centre (AGMC), Yola, couldn't present facts perhaps due to desperation, or lack of knowledge in both journalistic approach and government's policies and programmes on health care delivery in the State.

Right from the inception, he chose to use the word "hoax" in his calculated attempt to cast aspersion, ridicule the institution, government's efforts in establishing AGMC and confuse the general public simply his search for daily-bread was turned-down as he was regarded as a panhandler and not a real practicing Journalist.

To buttress this point, Salmon (2008), succinctly obersves that "freedom of expression is a universal human right" .According to the scholar, individuals have the right to freedom of opinion and expression; including the right to hold opinions without interference as contained in article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The Scholar was quickly to add that a ballance must be sought and that wherever ballance is drawn, it is vital that the rules are codified to enable reader, viewer, listener and lawmakers know where the boundaries of acceptability lie.

It is with utmost importance to state here that the write up is not only contrary to the postulation but an affront on the entire theory. This also made us to ask a simple question as to whether Sahid Umar is indeed a real Journalist or someone trying to make ends meet through mischievous write-ups?

As a bonafide citizen of Adamawa State, I keep wondering as to what would it benefit an individual to call for a disbandment of an investment of a state that was aimed at saving lives? To say the least, the writer has done a great disservice to the state, and does not deserved to be called an indigene of Adamawa.

It should be known to him that the health institution was established by the then Governor Murtala Hammanyero Nyako led administration in 2012, with a vision of serving as a referral center with a tertiary status. Likewise, the then 10-bed center was set up  to aid in acquiring health facility as obtained abroad as well as medical manpower development that can provide best medical service to patients in the state.

It was in recognition of the significance of AGMC to the health needs of the citizens that the state government through the management of Medical Centre floated an executive bill and forwarded same to the Adamawa State House of Assembly for enactment. In order to give the institution the required legal backing, the hallowed chamber after scrutinising the merits and demerits of the bill, went ahead and unanimously enacted the bill.

Part of the merits of the enacted legislation is to initiate and participate in setting the centre's vision, mission, strategies, goals, operations, plans and budget. 

Equally, the legislation provided that the centre's employees should operate safe systems, monitor their practice on regular basis and to ensure that all staff have the skills necessary to perform effectively within the Centre through continues education and regular training programmes.

Without an iota of doubt, Sahid Umar has goofed in his entire write up because at the moment, the State Ministry of Health in search of a befitting site for relocation Medical Centre. And it is also important for him to note that the staff of center are on the payroll of the State Government contrary to what he concocted.

More so, on the personanlity of the Head of Administration of the reputable Medical Centre, Hajiya FADIMATU SANI-YAKUBU, the writer failed woefully in his campaign of calumny to smear the image of a committed, dedicated and woman of integrity whose dint of hard work brought the centre to where it is today.

To say the least, it is the expertise of Hajiya Fadimatu, popularly known as manager of men and resources and her team that the quality health care delivery service of health institution is recognised in the entire North east. 

Upon her appointment as the Administrator of the Medical Centre in the year 2012, by erstwhile Governor Murtala Nyako, the workaholic woman took the issue of qualitative, effective, accessible and affordable health to greater heights where international Standard Medical Care Services are being provided to citizens not only in Adamawa but across North east.

She has provided the needed leadership and motivation as well as building the capacity of the staff through training and retraining of the staff. Aside from that, the world class Medical Centre has created many departments such Diagnostic Centre with fully equipped operation theatres. Others include; Septic and Aseptic theatres, patient recovery area with beds, intensive care unit.

There is Radiology where units like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT-scan), the only one in the Northeast-Nigeria. There is Mammography Machine, Electro-cardio-graphic Machine, Ultra-sound machine’ Spiro metric machine and Digital x-ray machine. She also expanded the Laboratory department to Hematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, immunology and parasitology. It also has a blood bank, Modern pharmacy complex and the entire centre has been connected with internet facilities.

In was in recognition of the remarkable achievements of Hajiya FADIMATU SANI-YAKUBU was honoured with a Global Leaders of Integrity award, Woman of Excellence Merit Award(WEMA), Nigeria Merit Gold for Transparency and Accountability award, Leading Edge Academy Award and Associate fellow, institute of Health Administration of Nigeria among others.

Hajiya Fadimatu, Msc. holder in Health Planning, Management and Administration from University of Maiduguri, can best described as an a administrator par excellence. The former Board Member, University College Hospital, Ibadan and a First Class Degree in Public Administration has carved a niche for herself in taking the health institution to the greater height.