Growing complaints from patients and healthcare stakeholders have drawn renewed attention to conditions at some general hospitals in Abuja, particularly Kubwa and Nyanya General Hospitals, over concerns about service delivery.

The two facilities are among the busiest public hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), serving large populations and handling increasing patient loads amid pressure on healthcare resources.

Patients and their relatives decried the overcrowding, long waiting times, inadequate bed space, staff shortages, and limited access to essential medical services at the facilities.

Recent reports indicate that many public hospitals across the FCT are struggling to cope with rising patient numbers amid persistent shortages of healthcare workers and other critical resources.

Some patients who spoke on Thursday in Abuja expressed difficulties accessing pharmaceutical and laboratory services at Kubwa General Hospital, while others complained of delays in receiving care.

Healthcare experts attributed many of the challenges to manpower shortages and the continued migration of medical professionals abroad in search of better remuneration and improved working conditions.

Emmanuel Daniel, a patient at Kubwa General Hospital, said one of the major challenges she encountered at the facility was the poor state of the toilets’ sanitation.

“The toilets are nothing to write home about, especially for pregnant women who need to frequently use the restroom,” she lamented.

A nurse in the outpatient department, Justina Agu, said shortages of doctors, nurses and other health personnel were seriously affecting service delivery across hospitals in the FCT.

According to Ms Agu, during recent industrial actions in FCT hospitals, consultants and the few available workers who reported for duty struggled to manage large numbers of patients.

She said some non-emergency cases were turned away or referred elsewhere because available personnel could not adequately attend to the overwhelming number of patients seeking medical attention.

Ms Agu added that the situation had not been easy for nurses, who often worked additional shifts and had fewer days off due to persistent shortages of healthcare personnel.

Robinson Edeni, a patient, also called on the federal government to pay closer attention to Nyanya General Hospital, noting that much of its infrastructure had become outdated.

Aniki Emmanuel, programme coordinator of Helen Keller International, said the healthcare sector continued to face numerous challenges, particularly infrastructure deficits and shortages of skilled health workers.

He identified the migration of healthcare professionals as a major challenge and urged government authorities to take immediate steps to address the growing problem across the sector.

Mr Emmanuel also called for the replacement of health workers who had relocated abroad, stressing that the shortage of skilled personnel was becoming increasingly worrisome nationwide.

“However, it is important to recognise the significant efforts being made by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners.

“These organisations, including health stakeholders, have been able to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes for residents. As a development partner, Helen Keller International has had the privilege of working closely with the FCT Primary Health Care Board (FPHCB) and other stakeholders to support healthcare interventions across the territory.

“These interventions include Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) and other programmes aimed at improving access to essential healthcare services for residents,” he said.

According to him, to further strengthen the health system and address current challenges, Helen Keller will continue to invest in healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment, medicines and human resources for health.

“There is also a need to expand opportunities for professional development, improve working conditions, enhance welfare packages and provide clear career progression pathways for healthcare workers.

“These measures would help improve job satisfaction and encourage more professionals to remain within the health system, but the government needs to intervene consistently to prevent the system from being derailed,” he said.

(NAN)