From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Chief Medical Director of Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Dr. Attahiru Isa Sokoto, has refuted claims circulating on social media that there are no doctors on duty in the hospital’s Emergency Ward.
The clarification followed a viral post questioning “the role of the Commissioner for Health” after allegations that the state’s largest government-owned hospital lacked medical personnel in its Emergency Ward.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Sokoto, Dr. Attahiru Isa Sokoto described the allegation as false and misleading. He said the Emergency Ward and other critical units of the hospital are fully staffed and operate 24 hours a day.
“For the avoidance of doubt, doctors, nurses and other health workers are on duty in the Emergency Ward of Sokoto Specialist Hospital round the clock.
“We have a functional duty roster, and no patient has been denied care due to a lack of personnel,” Dr. Sokoto said.
He added that the doctor on call at the time of the visit by the person who posted the viral video had briefly stepped out to observe the early morning prayer and was neither absent nor truant.
The CMD maintained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, had transformed the hospital into a world-class facility.
He said the administration inherited the hospital from the previous administration when it was in a “comatose” state.
According to Dr. Attahiru Isa Sokoto, the hospital has since been provided with additional medical personnel and ultramodern equipment, while its general infrastructure has undergone a total facelift.
“The present administration has invested heavily in the health sector. Sokoto Specialist Hospital now boasts modern equipment and adequate manpower to cater to the health needs of our people,” he added.
Dr. Attahiru Isa Sokoto urged members of the public to disregard what he described as “malicious and unfounded allegations” aimed at causing panic and undermining the government’s efforts in the health sector.
“We advise the public to verify information and channel complaints through the appropriate hospital authorities instead of resorting to social media to spread falsehood,” he stated.