Save Kogi State University From Total Collapse, Lawmaker Begs Governor Yahaya Bello

Member representing Omala state constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Prince Musa Hilarion Collins has called on the state government to re-visit and upgrade the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital (KSUTH), Anyigba. The lawmaker made the call during House plenary on Tuesday in Lokoja. He urged the state government to grant the teaching hospital approval to engage the already shortlisted applicants who were successfully interviewed for employment. Prince Collins also appealed to the state government to release funds for the proposed upgrading of KSUTH, Anyigba, in view of the accreditation exercise.
My distinguished and well respected colleagues, the present state of KSUTH, Anyigba, is more of a glorified General Hospital than a citadel of medical services and academic research. KSUTH cannot be called or stand the name University Teaching Hospital because our medical students are being transferred to other better equipped teaching and tertiary hospitals to complete their medical programmes,” he said. The House resolved to step down the motion and summon the commissioners for education and health to furnish the lawmakers with details of the teaching hospital project.
Full text of Hon. Musa Hilarion Collins’ Motion: Rt. Hon Speaker, my distinguished and well respected colleagues, this is a motion of Urgent Public Importance calling on the State Government to save Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba from total collapse. Established in April 2014, the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital (KSUTH) inherited a staff strength of 100 medical and non-medical personnel from the defunct Kogi Diagnostic and Reference Hospital, Anyigba.
in an attempt to meet the minimum required staff strength of 450 personnel to commence medical and researched academic activities at the University Teaching Hospital, 13 non medical staff were redeployed from various MDAs in the State Civil Service to increase the total staff strength to 113. In its frantic attempt to meet the minimum required personnel, the Teaching Hospital was granted leave to call for applications and to conduct interview whereon successful applicants were shortlisted but never employed.
Aware of the growing concern, urging this honourable House to note is the extent of damage to the infrastructure available for medical and academic research of the Teaching Hospital since its establishment from the Kogi Diagnostic and Reference Hospital, Anyigba. No new structure whatsoever has been erected. The old structures are in deplorable conditions, simply put, the entire medical facilities are dilapidated and seeking urgent intervention, in terms of renovation, provision of equipment and operational vehicles to fast track its establishment objectives.
It is a sad tale to tell that even human corpses are rejecting rides to their final resting places with the only operational ambulance bus at the Teaching Hospital because of its total neglect. Rt. Hon Speaker, my distinguished and well respected colleagues, the present state of KSUTH, Anyigba, is more of a glorified General Hospital than a citadel of medical services and academic research.
KSUTH cannot be called or stand the name University Teaching Hospital because our medical students are being transferred to other better equipped teaching and tertiary hospitals to complete their medical programs.
Teaching Hospitals are medical institutions where Medical and Dental professionals are bred and where all medical issues are demystified. However, KSUTH cannot be said to be among such existing Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria. Rt. Hon Speaker, my distinguished and well respected colleagues, a visit to KSUTH will bring tears to your eyes. It is disheartening that such giant institution is being relegated and allowed to rust.
PRAYERS: I, therefore, urge this honourable House to resolve as follows:
 
1. That approval be granted to KSUTH, Anyigba to engage the already shortlisted applicants who were successfully interviewed for employment.
 
2. That funds be released for the proposed upgrading of KSUTH, Anyigba, in view of the accreditation exercise.
3.That operational and utility vehicles be provided for effective service delivery. I so move! Dated this 8th day of September, 2020.
Hon. (Prince) Musa Attai Hilarion Collins, FIMCMember Representing Omala State Constituency.
 
Credit: Kogi Report