The West Africa College of Surgeons has described the structures and facilities at the Gombe specialist hospital as ones that bear all the hallmarks of a system that is susceptible to progressive change and will therefore need the support, encouragement and disposition of the institution to actualize the hospital’s dream of commencing the training of Resident Doctors in Obstetrics and Gynecology/ Family Medicine before other departments follow suit soon.
The Accreditation Team lead from the West African College of Surgeons, Professor Jesse Obed gave this indication when he led members of his entourage on a courtesy call to the Gombe State Commissioner of Health to climax their two day inspection visit of medical facilities in the State.
Professor Jesse Obed noted that for Gombe State Government to have thought of commencing the training of Resident Doctors in Obstetrics and Gynecology/ Family Medicine shows the foresight and administrative ingenuity of the Governor of the State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to reduce maternal morbidity and child mortality.
Concerning the state of facilities at the hospitals visited, Professor Jessy Obed said the team was quite impressed with the state of the art medical equipment and the general serenity of the hospitals, especially the newly remodeled and expanded state specialist hospital, Gombe.
“The purpose of training is to produce specialists as consultants to run clinics and improve health services and that is what the Gombe State Government is about doing and we at the West African College of Surgeons must commend the Governor for understanding the needs of the present time”.
The team lead from the West African College of Surgeons however did not stop short from advising the Gombe State Government to always back programmes such as the training of Resident Doctors with enabling laws so as to ensure continuity and sustainability as well as authenticity of certification.
Professor Obed equally advised the Gombe State Government to always give priority attention to the welfare and overseas trainings of Resident Doctors to avoid the possibility of brain drain due to comparative advantage.
Responding to submissions made by the accreditation team lead from the West African College of Surgeons, the Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru described the approach adopted by the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya towards revamping the health sector as broad-based and multi-disciplinary.
“The health sector is one area where the Governor covertly declared a state of emergency and he did so because when he came into office the sector was literally gasping for breath but mid way into his tenure the situation is far much better now and I think you have seen it for yourselves”.
Dr. Habu Dahiru said the quest to commence the training of Resident Doctors beginning with Obstetrics and Gynecology/ Family Medicine is part of a holistic plan by the Inuwa Yahaya led administration to bring quality and affordable health care to the people of the State.
He revealed to his guests that the present administration in Gombe State has built and furnished quarters for Resident Doctors in one deliberate effort to create a condusive environment for them to grow and stay back.
The Commissioner assured the visiting team that the State Government remains committed to partnering with the West African College of Surgeons and will equally run an open door policy so that the state can continue to tap from the reservoir of knowledge of the College for the development of the health sector and to the benefit of mankind.
The Team’s tour guide and Chief Medical Director of the Gombe State specialist hospital, Dr Muazu Shuaibu said this was the first time a team from the West African College of Surgeons was visiting the State to inspect facilities for possible accreditation of training of Residents Doctors in Obstetric and Gynecology/ Family Medicine.
He said when accredited, the process will not only improve the provision of quality medical services but will equally retain and train indigenes in different areas of medical specialties like the O&G/ family medicine for a start.
