By Stephen Adeleye.
The management of the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja (FMCL) has appealed to Kogi Government and other stakeholders to assist the hospital in providing medical equipment and infrastructural facilities.
Dr Olatunde Alabi, the Chief Medical Director of FMC, made the appealed during the maiden edition of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Week of FMCL chapter.
Represented by Dr Taiwo Jones, Head of Clinical Services, FMCL, Alabi called on the state government to collaborate with FCML in its bit to improve the health of the people.
“Every opportunity we have I think we should always talk about it, as at today, the most functional hospital in Kogi is FMCL.
“The truth is that you cannot be hungry and render quality service to the people.
“Workers will go to work without food in their stomach; six to seven month no salary, and you expect them to render quality service; it is impossible except we want to deceive ourselves.
“So, the only place where you can go now and get what looks like medical services is at FMCL.
“Unfortunately, we have not enjoy any benefit from the state government.
“The state government should help us in the areas of infrastructure and equipment in rendering services to the indigene of Kogi State better,” he said.
He commended the nurses for living above board in spite the numerous challenges, saying nurses are the pivot of every activities in the hospital.
“It is impossible for any hospital to function without adequate nursing staff.
“A lot of our nurses have retired and we have not been able to replace them neither have we been able to recruit due federal government embargo on recruitment.
“The HOD has made the necessary efforts and the CMD has been running round to make sure we are able to improve on the nursing manpower.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nurses week has the theme, ”Nurses a Voice to Lead, Health for All”.
Mr Alfa Ja’afar, the Head of Nursing Department, FMCL, commended the CMD for motivating the nurses in the areas of staff welfare, promotion, training and capacity building for effective service delivery and productivity.
On their parts, the Chairman of NANNM, FMCL, Abdulmalik Idris, and his counterparts in the State, Mr Sam Ochu, both called for the recruitment of more nurses, provision of more computers, modern equipments, and an improved welfare for nurses.
The highlight of the occasion was the practical demonstration of hand washing techniques as a sure way to minimise the spread of Lassa fever.
