KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, LOKOJA
MOTION CALLING ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO AS A MATTER OF URGENCY INTERVENE IN THE OPERATIONS OF ANKPA ZONAL HOSPITAL AND TO MAKE IT FUNCTIONAL.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker, my distinguished Hon. Colleagues; right to life remains the most fundamental basic right or freedom to which all human beings are entitled and in whose exercise every government may not have to interfere. This basic right is constitutionally guaranteed, supported and codified under Chapter Four of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and so it is binding on the government to enforce policies that will enhances the enjoyment of this fundamental human rights.
Whereas, the right to life cannot be attained if there are no facilities like quality health care delivery systems to promote this inalienable right. Citizens are encouraged, where such systems are absent, to demand from their governments this constitutional obligation in ensuring that an enabling environment is created for the institutionalization of quality and effective healthcare system that is functional, affordable and effective.
Whereas, the state of our health care system, with more emphasis on the Zonal Hospitals and other Health Care Departments in Kogi State, calls for urgent attention. In Ankpa LGA, what we have as Zonal Hospital is a ramshackle and decrepit structure that lacks basic hygiene and is totally bereft of all the modern medical equipment necessary for effective and efficient healthcare services, nursing staff, laboratory personnel and medical doctors. The very few available have not undergone any professional trainings for a number of years to improve on their skills.
Whereas, the hygienic state of the Hospital is abysmally dangerous, quite a risk to life; in fact, it sickening. Patients who are forced to attend the Hospital end up being infected with other diseases as result of dirty environment and befoulment. More so, acute shortage of drugs, lack of electrify, fund and general insecurity are the recurring bane of the Hospital. Given this scenario, many people have no choice other than to take their loved ones to Private Hospitals owned by the resident Doctors serving at the Zonal Hospital. Their charges are a way out of the league of an average citizen, quite exorbitant.
Whereas, the standard of the facilities provided in these Private Hospitals across the State are also not the best and certainly do not comply with global best practices.
PRAYERS.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Distinguished Hon. Colleagues, be it now resolved by this Honourable House in session that an appeal be made to the State Government urging it to ensure the following:
- Employ more medical and laboratory staff as well as qualified Doctors to address the challenges of man-power need,
- Totally rehabilitate the dilapidated structures in the Hospital and equip it fully with state of the art equipment,
- Supply essential drugs and laboratories facilities to enhance efficient medical services,
- Provide security personnel to safe guide the Hospital, and
- Provide a stand by generating set while ensuring that a standard electricity system is deployed to support Zonal Hospital.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker, my distinguished Hon. Colleagues; we must as lawmakers put intense pressure on the State Government to fix our dilapidated health care facilities to ensure quality services at affordable cost to our people that are in dire need of health care but do not have the wherewithal to consult private hospitals. A stich in time, as the saying goes, saves nine. Let us, therefore, save our health care system.
I so moved.
Dated today the 28th of September, 2016.
Hon. Ahmed Muhammad,
Ankpa I Constituency.
