From Garba Abdullahi Bagwai, in Kano
Patients and residents have commended the Kano State Hospitals Management Board for responding to a report published by Citizenship Daily on the poor sanitary conditions at Dawakin Kudu General Hospital.
The hospital had previously been in a deplorable sanitary condition, particularly in the maternity section, toilets and Outpatient Department (OPD), raising concerns among patients and residents over the possible spread of cholera and other diseases.
Following the publication, cleaners and environmental health workers were seen carrying out extensive sanitation exercises within the hospital premises, including the removal of refuse and human waste dumped in some areas.
Speaking with our correspondent, a caregiver, Isa Usman, said the situation had significantly improved since the report was published.
“We thank God that the unpleasant odour from the toilets and the number of mosquitoes have reduced to the barest minimum. The wards and labour rooms have been washed, while almost half of the grasses within the hospital premises have been cleared,” he said.
Similarly, Malama Rabiu Kabiru, who gave birth to a baby girl at the hospital, said she had been attending the facility for antenatal care before delivering her child.
According to her, the sanitary condition of the maternity and outpatient departments had previously been disturbing.
“The level of cleanliness in the maternity and outpatient departments was terrible before, but I am very impressed with what I have seen now. This shows that the government is concerned about the plight of its people,” she said.
A staff member of the hospital, who pleaded anonymity, said the management received calls from government officials and health organisations expressing concern over the report shortly after it was published.
The staff member said the hospital management subsequently convened an emergency meeting the following morning to address the situation.
“There is now a clear hope that patients will no longer complain about poor sanitary conditions and inadequate toilet facilities, as the government is already planning a comprehensive reconstruction of the hospital,” the staff member said.
The development has therefore renewed hope among patients and residents that the sanitary challenges previously witnessed at the facility will be addressed permanently.
