Patients Urgently Demand Repair of X-Ray Machine at Katsina Hospital
Patients Urgently Demand Repair of X-Ray Machine at Katsina Hospital
Patients at the Turai Yar'adua Maternity and Children Hospital in Katsina are sounding the alarm over the hospital's non-functional X-ray machine. This crucial medical equipment has reportedly been out of service for five months, leaving numerous patients in need of vital imaging services to seek alternatives elsewhere. Here’s a closer look at their plight and the response from hospital authorities.
Patients Express Concerns
In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), patients shared disturbing stories about their experiences without the X-ray services. Bala Abubakar, one frustrated patient, explained, "About five months ago, I was here with a patient who required an X-ray, but we were told that the machine was faulty, so we had to take him to the general hospital."
Abubakar's disbelief stems from the expectation that a large governmental facility like the Turai Yar'adua Hospital would maintain operational medical equipment. He urged the state government, specifically Governor Dikko Radda, to prioritize the repair or replacement of the faulty X-ray machine, appealing, "Therefore, the government should please provide and install a new X-ray machine or repair the one they already have."
Urgent Appeals
Another patient, Amina Balarabe, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for prompt action from the government. Her calls for urgency reflect a growing dissatisfaction among the community regarding the medical services provided.
Hospital Staff Confirm Equipment Issues
In discussions with hospital staff, it was confirmed that the X-ray machine simply required repairs and that the estimated cost would not exceed N3 million. This raises questions about state funding and the efficiency of hospital management concerning essential medical apparatus.
Official Response from Katsina State Hospital Management
Mohammed Kabir, the Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Hospital Management Service Board, acknowledged the issue in an interview with NAN, stating, "We are aware of the issue, and that efforts are being made to fix the machine. It is a long process, but finally, the technician who will repair the machine has been booked."
While Kabir projected that the repairs might be completed by the end of February, he also urged the community to support the hospital with donations. He called upon wealthy individuals, corporations, NGOs, and philanthropists to contribute towards restoring the hospital's X-ray capabilities, stressing that addressing this need should not solely rest on the government’s shoulders.
Conclusion
The situation at the Turai Yar'adua Maternity and Children Hospital highlights a critical gap in the healthcare services available to residents of Katsina. As patients continue to face challenges due to the lack of functional medical equipment, their calls for action underscore the community’s reliance on adequate health infrastructure. The combination of patient advocacy and government accountability could pave the way for much-needed improvements in local healthcare services. Community members are encouraged to remain engaged and supportive, while officials must act swiftly to restore essential services.
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