Revitalized Old General Hospital Earns Praise: DASH Board Chairman Commends CMD’s Leadership

The Chairman of the Governing Board of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Akwanga, who is also the Chun Mada, Pastor Samson Gamu Yare, has commended the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and the hospital’s management for upgrading their services and revitalizing the old general hospital. He noted that upon their relocation to the temporary site , they met dilapidated structures where most of the facilities had been carted away.

The Board Chairman stated this shortly after touring the new and  temporary site alongside members of the board.

He said, "As we went round, you could see that massive renovations have been carried out, bringing the facility to the status of a specialist hospital. The staff are also working hard to ensure effective service delivery. So far, we can say work is in progress."

The paramount ruler emphasized the critical role of traditional leaders in healthcare. "My primary role is to urge my people to live healthy lives, because a hospital is not a place one should frequent it is not a hospitality industry. First, I will advocate for my people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Second, I will advise them not to resort to local or untested medicine, but to go to the hospital where doctors will attend to them properly. They must prioritize the hospital when the need arises."

Speaking while receiving the governing board members, the consultant for the specialist hospital project, Architect Salihu Ogyebola, said the project is progressing well. "Any project that has just started takes a while before you can see visible physical progress," he explained.

According to him, the project will expand the facility from a general hospital to a specialist hospital essentially a tertiary institution. "The concept behind this project is that Akwanga is a central location, both within the state and in Nigeria at large. It will serve not only the people of this zone but the entire nation. Akwanga is strategically located, and we want to make this hospital a pride of the state."

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital briefed the governing board on the progress made since relocating to the temporary site, which allowed for construction, expansion, and upgrade work to continue. 

The CMD acknowledged that as a new hospital, some challenges are inevitable, but he commended Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule for addressing the hospital's urgent needs. 

He disclosed that the hospital has expanded from 30 beds to 61 beds, and that some equipment have been acquired and installed for use.

 He added that the hospital has engaged consultants from different fields and also employed 40 nurses as approved by the governor.