Bauchi Assembly members grill Commissioner nominee to ascertain his capacity, capability

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By Akanji Alowoludo, Bauchi

Members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly on Wednesday, took time to grill the last nominee for screening as a Commissioner, Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo from Toro Local Government Area.

Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo who was born in 1978 in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State was grilled considering the fact that he may be assigned the Health Ministry portfolio which is believed to be one of the important M8nisteries with so many agencies. 

He bagged bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBBS) from Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto in 2005. He also attended Government Science School Kuru, Plateau State and finished in 1997 and Nomadic Primary School Dian, Plateau State for his primary education and finished in 1991.

Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo is currently the Chief Medical Officer in charge of Toro General Hospital. He also worked as Principal Medical Officer in charge of Kirfi General Hospital, Giade General Hospital, Specialist Hospital Bauchi between 2014 to 2016.

Dr. Adamu had worked as Medical Officer in charge of Boto General Hospital in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, Medical Officer II at General Hospital Toro, Medical Officer I at 45 Nigerian Air Force Hospital Makurdi and Medical House Officer at Specialist Hospital Bauchi between 2000 to 2014.

After the nominee introduced himself, the Speaker asked him some constitutional questions and he responded to the satisfaction of the House.

The Speaker then gave the Members opportunity to make comments or ask him some questions.

Majority Leader, Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir representing Disina Constituency said that there are enormous challenges and problems in the health sector, most of the cases at primary health level are attended in the secondary and tertiary level, how will you change that?

He added that, “There is also inadequate medical personnel, high concentration of medical personnel at urban areas while rural left with nothing, what strategies will you adopt?

Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada representing Bogoro Constituency asked,”you worked as Medical practitioner, the whole Ningi, there is only one medical doctor, in Tafawa Balewa, only one, in Bogoro only one. Most of the medical practitioners of Bauchi are leaving the State for Jigawa and even foreign countries, how will you tackle this problem?

Hon. Bello Sarkin Jadori representing Gamawa Constituency asked the nominee what he will do on secondary health facilities upgraded to referral centres?

Hon. Sa’idu Suleiman Darazo representing Darazo Constituency said that “you are coming when there are numerous problems, what is your comment on child and maternal mortality, statistics showed Bauchi has the highest rate of infant and maternal mortality, only 173 health facilities have at least one staff, on doctor/patient ratio Bauchi has the lowest, one doctor for 4000 against the convention of one doctor for 600 people, what’s your take on these?

Nasiru Ahmed Ala representing Chinade/Madara Constituency said that Bauchi State Government prioritized healthcare by allocating 15 percent of its budget to health, how will you stimulate government effort?

He further asked, “There are agencies like bhetfund which I was pioneer chairman, the law that established it is just a document and no implementation, only one percent from contracts is realized, how will you ensure the law is fully implemented?

Hon. Lawan Dauda representing Sade Constituency said the nominee is humble and highly respectful man. ”What can you do differently to address human resources gap and eliminate corrupt practices,  academic and sexual and scandals in health Institutions?

Hon. Maikudi Ahmed Yaya representing Chiroma Constituency said that the problem of health care in Bauchi needs emergency approach. There are problems and the way out is cooperation of all health agencies and health Institutions with the commissioner. 

Therefore to succeed the Commissioner must seek cooperation and understanding of all health agencies and health Institutions in the State.

While Responding to the questions, Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo said that the health sector is stratified but interwoven and depend on one another, the primary and secondary health facilities are all under within the State, and will strengthen their relationship.

On referral centres, he said that the problems are around the human resource because within short period of time the State got Federal health institutions, such as ATBUTH, FMC, VVF Centre and many federal health Institutions. 

The State made sacrifice of allowing its human resource to take up positions in the federal health facilities and institutions. 

They train health workers and very soon we will have a lot of trained health workers and the State will have enough health workers but before then I will create Memorundum of understanding with FG institutions so that even if  they work there, they can work with the State institutions also. Rural posting policy will also help in which some hospitals in the rural areas are selected and doctors are posted to work for some time. We will  expand this policy to medical doctors who are trained by the state government to render services to state health facilities in the rural areas.

On health statistics, he said that the Governor Bala Mohammad has declared State of emergency on health and allocated 15 percent of the budget of the State to health sector. I will ensure coordination within the health agencies and as their one time chairman,  they will give me cooperation I am determined to transform health sector of Bauchi State.”

Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi (Lame Constituency) said that the nominee is a prominent person in Toro who contributed a lot in the area. 

He recalled how he arranged doctors for him and invited doctors from atbuth to Rishi for his free medical programme. “He even mobilized his people in the hospital and gave award to me for my contribution on health, it’s because he is patriotic.” Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi urged the Honourable House to allow him to take a bow and go.

The  House asked the nominee to take a bow and go.