A severe rainstorm in the early hours of Friday caused significant damage to the Plateau State Specialists Hospital in Jos, the state capital, leaving doctors and other health officials stranded.
The hospital had just received a delivery of 100 beds and 100 mattresses for patients from the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led administration.
According to The PUNCH, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Christopher Yilgwan, confirmed the situation to on Friday. He explained that the affected medical staff had been relocated to ensure their safety.
Prof. Yilgwan stated, “As we are receiving the good news (purchase of 100 beds and 100 mattresses), we woke up this morning to find out that the whole block where some doctors and house officers are staying have been destroyed by the rainstorm. As we speak, all of them have been stranded and displaced and their properties destroyed.”
He added that Governor Caleb Mutfwang has provided temporary accommodation for the displaced staff. The hospital is currently assessing the damage and preparing for renovation.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, Prof. Yilgwan emphasized that the Plateau hospital serves over 60% of the local population, including many from lower-income areas. He noted that much of the hospital’s infrastructure, built decades ago, is now outdated and in need of replacement to ensure optimal service delivery.
The CMD highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the hospital, stating, “We have migrated to an e-hospital system to manage all hospital operations in an electronic manner. That helps us with accurate data to plan appropriately because before now, most of what we do is guesswork. We have also restored the water network in the hospital such that patients don’t have to walk carrying water on their heads. There is a plan to rebuild the hospital to a new specialist hospital.”
He added that architectural and structural designs for the new hospital are complete, and a simulation exercise is forthcoming.
“In no distant time, we will reposition the hospital to better serve the people in line with the promise of the present administration,” Prof. Yilgwan assured.
