By Sunday John
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has directed the Commissioner for Health to investigate the alleged diversion of equipment donated to Umaisha General Hospital by Mr Ibrahim Sa’ad, member representing Ugya/Umaisha State Constituency in the State House of Assembly.
Sule stated on Wednesday in Lafia following a recent viral video in which the lawmaker alleged that orthopaedic mattresses and fans donated by him to the hospital had been stolen.
The governor, who spoke at the inauguration of new commissioners, said the government would ensure that anyone found culpable after the investigation was dismissed and prosecuted.
He described the alleged theft and sale of the donated equipment as inhuman and unacceptable, stressing that the government would not tolerate actions capable of undermining healthcare delivery.
“I cannot see how somebody who works in the hospital will now allow himself to sell what somebody donated to help the vulnerable.
“I have already asked the Honourable Commissioner for Health to investigate, dismiss and prosecute them.
“Firing those found guilty alone to go free will not give us peace of mind. We need to prosecute them for this inhuman attitude of theirs, to allow their people to die while they are enjoying the little money they sold the mattresses, probably at half price.
“This cannot be tolerated. I am waiting for the Commissioner’s report, and based on that report, I don’t even want to hear anything else,” Sule said.
Meanwhile, Sa’ad in a statement issued to newsmen in Lafia, said that the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Hospital Management Board, had responded swiftly to the situation.
He expressed optimism that the matter had been resolved and that clarification had been made regarding the donated items.
Sa’ad explained that the items had been donated more than two years ago and were kept in the hospital store, while some were used in the hospital quarters by staff posted to the facility.
He said his action was not intended to discredit the Ministry of Health or ridicule any stakeholder affiliated with the ministry.
“My action is not aimed at discrediting the Ministry of Health, Nasarawa State, neither is it politically motivated to ridicule any stakeholder affiliated to the ministry.
“We are partners in ensuring that the health status of the indigenes of Umaisha/Ugya are important indices in measuring the success or otherwise of our people”.
He also called on the public to support healthcare initiatives aimed at alleviating the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
