By Muhammad Nasir
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Dr Attahiru Isah, has refuted claims circulating on social media that there are no doctors on duty at the hospital’s Emergency Ward.
Isah described the allegation as false and misleading, saying doctors, nurses and other health workers were available at the Emergency Ward and other critical units of the hospital round the clock.
The CMD made the clarification in a statement n reaction to a viral post alleging that the state’s biggest government-owned hospital lacked medical personnel at its Emergency Ward.
“For the avoidance of doubt, doctors, nurses and other health workers are on duty at the Emergency Ward of Sokoto Specialist Hospital round the clock.
“We have a functional duty roster and no patient has been denied care due to lack of personnel,” he said.
Isah explained that the doctor on call at the time of the visit by the person who posted the viral video had briefly left to observe the early morning prayer.
He said the doctor had slept at the hospital and was neither absent nor truant as alleged.
The CMD also said the administration of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu had transformed the hospital through the provision of additional medical personnel, modern equipment and improved infrastructure.
According to him, the state government inherited the hospital in a “comatose situation” but had since invested heavily in the health sector to improve healthcare delivery.
“The present administration has invested heavily in the health sector. Sokoto Specialist Hospital now boasts of modern equipment and adequate manpower to cater for the health needs of our people,” he said.
Isah urged members of the public to disregard what he described as malicious and unfounded allegations capable of causing panic and undermining government efforts in the health sector.
He advised members of the public to verify information and channel complaints through appropriate hospital authorities rather than resorting to social media to spread false information.
