Weeks after WikkiTimes has exposed the ruinous condition of Warji LGA General Hospital in Bauchi State, windstorm has destroyed theater room, laboratory and maternity ward.
Several parts of the Hospital have been razed down by an evening windstorm on Monday which left patients and health workers in a shared agony.
A health worker in the Hospital who confided in WikkiTimes said the storm has damaged most parts of the roof, scattered windows and brought down many parts of the health facility.
“The dilapidated structure, which had been in a state of disrepair for years, was no match for the powerful wind, which tore off roofs, shattered windows,” the source told WikkiTimes
“Honestly, the Hospital is already in extreme bad condition with cracks everywhere and is sinking to the ground when it rains. It destroyed maternity ward that pregnant women deliver. I don’t think we can continue to work there. Male ward and lab are affected too”
He added “The pharmacy and theater were leaking even before now. I am afraid that the building may collapse on staff and patients someday.”
According to eyewitnesses, the windstorm hit the hospital around 5:00 pm, catching patients, staff, and visitors off guard. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but several people were scampered for safety at the other parts of the Hospital including patients who were receiving treatment at the time of the incident.
“It was really scary. The wind was so strong that it lifted off the roof of the hospital like it was a tin can. We were lucky to move to a safer place, but most parts of the facility including the theater room are gone.”
The hospital, which serves the healthcare needs of thousands of people in the Warji LGA, is now operating with difficulties, leaving patients and staff in a state of uncertainty.
The incident has raised questions about the state of infrastructure in the LGA which has residents of over 200,000 but without a decent healthcare facility to attend to public health concerns.
“We have been warning about the deplorable state of our hospital for years, but our cries fell on deaf ears,” said a staff member who wished to remain anonymous. “Now, we are paying the price for the negligence of our leaders.”
WikkiTimes reported that Bauchi State Government has abandoned construction a new hospital started three years ago to replace the old one that was built about fifty years ago.
A lawmaker representing Warji Constituency at the Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA), Hon. Garba Lawan, told WikkiTimes that he had personally spoken to Governor Bala Mohammed on the now abandoned Warji General Hospital.
“I raised the motion as a matter of urgent public importance and a six-man committee visited the site of the Hospital. I also talked to His Excellency about it but he directed to the State Accountant General, Saidu Abubakar, who is also from Warji, to ensure completion of the hospital,” Lawan told WikkiTimes in an interview.
He, however, lamented that he was unable to meet with the Accountant General despite several attempts including phone calls.
Efforts to speak with the Accountant General to comment on the issue proved futile as he neither picked calls nor responded to calls, text and WhatsApp messages placed on his mobile number.
However, residents and health workers in Warji continue to express dissatisfaction with the current situation and appealed to the State Government to help the community to complete the new Hospital.
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