UMTH: Why the people should take ownership after the flood

By: Balami Lazarus

The extensive damages at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital as a result of the flood that ravages the city of Maiduguri remain a thing of concern to visitors, patients, and administrators who are eagerly awaiting to see that services return to normal and all machinery is working as it should for proper administration of quality health services.

As people show sympathy and calls for spirited individuals and organizations to turn their helping hands toward bringing back the hospital to its state of affairs before the flood, one thing that keeps coming from the people is to ensure that those expensive machines and equipment are put in place.

NEWSng observed recently the damages and calls for actions. The extending of heartfelt concern to the government and people of Borno State, especially as a result of this unfortunate situation, is highly encouraging, and the pace at which individuals and organizations are taking to support the hospital at this time is also appreciated.

For the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), it is of tears for the losses in billions of Naiira. But courage and determination shown by the excellent leadership efforts of the management and the wonderful works of the CMD, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, have been creating waves and still making significant marks in this great reputable hospital, even in the face of needs.

Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has demonstrated unequal leadership. He has shown that a large heart, kindness, selflessness, seeking progress, and peace are part of the needs to ensure stability amongst the patients, their relatives, and the staff that are providing immediate services in this traumatic and unorganized situation that accompanied that aftermath of the Maiduguri flood.

He has been preaching the message of considering the people first as the hospital battles many faces of challenges during and after the flood submerged the walls that house his hospital. This, according to the people who spoke to our team, is commendable, as inconsideration of public interest in regards to medical services has denied many hospitals the public and community calls as UMTH is getting at this time when voices are speaking on its behalf for succor and support.

“I believe with the many calls for action, the hospital will soon attract more and better equipment and materials in kind and in cash as an attempt to take ownership by individuals and organizations for public interest.” Auwal Mohammed, a resident of Maiduguri, told NEWSng in a chat.

“Anyone that might have come close to the CMD must have known that medicine and providing good healthcare of quality and standard are his top priorities for the people. Without reservation, permit me here to say after his family is medicine/radiology and UMTH.” A staff member of the UMTH who did not want to be mentioned said.

UMTH is the most affected. NEWSng findings revealed that the modern, sophisticated state-of-the-art medical equipment and materials in the main hospital and other medical centers, departments, wards, and units are water-soaked.

UMTH has the best specialized equipped medical centers staffed with professionals and medical health personnel. It is believed that other members of the public will attest to this and hence contribute with their resources.

To take ownership of a public facility situated and being in a particular locality by the people’s concern is simply giving back to the community by contributing, sponsoring projects, and making donations in cash and in kind to enable the likes of UMTH to deliver efficient medical services. And for UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo and his management team, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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