The newly upgraded Tudun Wada Cottage Hospital has been commissioned by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, in another significant step towards strengthening healthcare delivery in the state. The commissioning brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, traditional and religious leaders, development partners and members of the Tudun Wada community to celebrate the transformation of the former Primary Health Care Centre into a functional Cottage Hospital.
Welcoming guests to the occasion, the Chief Medical Director of the Plateau State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Benjamin Sumi Garkuwa, described the project as more than the commissioning of a health facility, but a demonstration of the government’s commitment to bringing quality, accessible and affordable healthcare closer to the people. He expressed profound appreciation to Governor Mutfwang for his continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, equipment and human resources, noting that the upgraded facility now boasts improved wards, a theatre, laboratory and a solar-powered electricity system to support the effective delivery of healthcare services.
Dr. Sumi further highlighted the importance of human resources in making the facility fully functional, disclosing that 95 healthcare workers have been posted to Tudun Wada Cottage Hospital across various cadres. He explained that the deployment was deliberately made to complement the infrastructure and equipment provided by the government and ensure that the people receive effective, efficient and compassionate healthcare.
While congratulating the newly deployed workers, Dr. Sumi charged them to see their posting as a call to service and urged them to uphold professionalism, discipline, compassion, accountability and patient-centred care. He equally challenged the management of the facility to properly maintain the infrastructure and equipment, stressing that the sustainability of the government’s investment depends largely on responsible management and commitment to duty.
He also appealed to the people of Tudun Wada and neighbouring communities to take ownership of the facility by protecting the infrastructure, supporting healthcare workers and making proper use of the services available. According to him, the hospital represents hope for mothers, children, families and the entire community, as residents can now access a wider range of healthcare services closer to home without travelling long distances.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, commended the upgrade of the facility as part of the administration’s broader commitment to people-centred development. He noted that the government’s interventions extend beyond healthcare to areas such as water, roads and electricity, assuring the community of continued attention to its infrastructural needs.
The Governor also acknowledged the administration’s ongoing upgrade of Primary Health Care Centres to Cottage Hospitals across the state, describing the interventions as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality services.
The event also featured goodwill messages from Hon. Ajiji, Dr. Solomon, representatives of the State Primary Health Care Board, Nurse Kizito Ndak and Joseph Dusu, as well as the District Head of Tudun Wada. In a remarkable demonstration of community ownership and goodwill, the District Head presented the document of the land on which the hospital was built to the Plateau State Government, reaffirming the community’s support and cooperation with government in ensuring the sustainability of the project.
The people of Tudun Wada, particularly the women and youths, expressed excitement and gratitude over the transformation, describing the hospital as a welcome development that would reduce the burden and cost of travelling to distant health facilities. They expressed confidence that the upgraded facility would improve access to healthcare, particularly for mothers, children and other vulnerable members of the community.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Sumi assured the Governor and the people that the Plateau State Hospitals Management Board would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure that the investment in Tudun Wada translates into improved health outcomes. He emphasised that the commissioning marks the beginning of a new responsibility for the Board, management and staff of the facility to ensure that the hospital serves its purpose effectively.
The occasion was attended by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, CMD of Plateau State Specialist Hospital, representatives of PLASCHEMA and the State Primary Health Care Board, Director-General of the Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency, Pharmacist Kim Jerry Bott, WHO State Coordinator, APIN representatives, healthcare professionals, traditional and religious leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders.
With the commissioning of the facility and the deployment of 95 healthcare workers, Dr. Benjamin Sumi Garkuwa reaffirmed the commitment of the Hospitals Management Board to ensuring that the transformation of Tudun Wada Cottage Hospital goes beyond infrastructure to deliver quality, compassionate and people-centred healthcare to the community.
+ There are no comments
Add yours