The Gombe State Government has signed a N495 million contract for the construction of a 250-bed ward at the Snake Bite Treatment Hospital, Kaltungo Local Government area of the State. Speaking during the contract signing ceremony which took place recently at the Ministry of Health between the State Government and seven contractors whose bids scaled through, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ishaya Kennedy, stated that it was a great day not only in the history of the State but to its neighbouring states who also have endemic problems of snake bites and rely on the hospital.

According to him, the hospital project, which would be completed in 18 months, would have 250 beds, blood bank, surgery unit, mortuary and a fence to accord it adequate security among others. He added that when completed, it would reduce the problem of congestion of the patients at the General Hospital, Kaltungo.

The Commissioner said the present snake bite treatment centre was established in 1958 by the Sudan Interior Mission and had passed through the hands of three governments since the defunct North-eastern State.

He explained that the federal government indicated interest in the centre at a particular time but failed to actualise this interest in practical terms. He said presently, patients receive treatment and drugs free of charge following the State Government's desire to relief them of this burden because of the high cost of treatment beyond the scope of the less privileged.

He said the congestion of patients at the General Hospital in Kaltungo was informed by the numerous patients from states outside the North-east geo-political zone who patronise the snake bite centre with little facilities. In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Saidu Garba, explained that the contract for the construction of a special hospital was given following consistent cry received from the general hospital, Kaltungo over the congestion of the hospital by snake bite patients calling for urgent decongestion.

Speaking on behalf of the other six contractors, Managing Director of Consultech Nigeria Limited, Madam Dorin Wigwa, assured the state Government that they would not only abide by the terms of their contract but would perform in a manner to set record for other contractors.

Source : allafrica.com
 

Posted on : 30 Nov,-0001