Relatives transfer patients to private hospitals in Kano

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

The indefinite nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), yesterday has taken its toll on general and teaching hospitals in Kano State, as relatives transfer their love ones to private clinics in the city.

Our reporter observed that some patients were forced to transfer to private hospitals while others, who could not afford the expenses of private hospitals, remained at either the hospital wards or return to their homes.

At the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), people’s daily observed that the hospital was grounded as skeletal services that used to be rendered during previous strikes were not offered; patients were asked to go back home or relocate to private hospitals by the staff of the hospital.

A security guard at the Accident and Emergency unit of the AKTH, who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter that there is no service at the unit, adding that “even the emergency services that were used.

A man, simply identified as Lamido, from Borno state, lamented the situation, saying, he brought his son for a follow up but was forced to go back home.

“It is a very sad development. I have brought my son who sustained a fracture in his leg, for follow up only to be told that there is strike. Although the boy is recuperating, we need to see the doctors as they have asked us to return back on this day. I have to go back home and wait until the strike is called off.” He lamented.