Yendi hospital appeals for help

Yendi (NR), Jan. 29, GNA The Yendi Municipal Director of Health Service, Madam Denisia Agong Kaara, has expressed worry about the inadequate number of health personnel, especially nurses at the Yendi Government Hospital.

She also said a generator, washing machine and some medical equipment of the hospital, which serves Saboba, Chereponi, Zabzugu/Tatale, Gusheigu, Nanumba North and Nanumba South Districts, have broken down.

Madam Kaara expressed the dissatisfaction at the Annual Performance Review for 2011 of Yendi Health Directorate, at Yendi.

She appealed to individuals, Members of Parliament for Yendi and Mion constituencies, religious bodies and the District Assemblies to come to the aid of the hospital.

Madam Kaara said though maternal mortality had reduced from 8 in 2010 to 6 in 2011, there was the need for health personnel to work harder to prevent such deaths,

She said malaria was still the leading cause of Out Patient Department (OPD) attendance and admissions at the hospital despite the various interventions to control the high incidence of the disease, such as the use of Insecticide Treated Nets.

Madam Kaara said Tuberculosis rate has increased from 20 in 2010 to 29 in 2011, and commended the Assembly for creating 39 CHPS compounds to promote health in the area.

The Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Issah Zakaria, said in the last three years, CHPS compounds have been created at Bofoyili, Sakpei, Nadundo, Oseido, Kpunkpunoo, and a health centre and staff quarters had been constructed at Sambu.

He also said an administration block, two hostels, a demonstration clinic, a four-unit classroom block and a 10-seater water closet had been constructed for the Yendi Health Assistant Training School at Gamazi.

Mr. Zakaria Yakubu, official of the Yendi Hospital, said the health facility has built houses for its staff.

He said malaria cases in 2011 at the hospital was 24,754 as against 22,490 in 2010, and 83 people died from the disease in 2011 as against 89 in 2010.

Mr. Yakubu expressed worry that the salaries of some newly employed staff were being delayed.

During contributions and question time, it was revealed that two doctors, who were sponsored by the Yendi Assembly to undergo courses, refused to return to the Yendi hospital, and that the health facility has only one medical doctor and it is without a surgeon.