Bayelsa moves against spread of TB, leprosy

May 21, 2014

Bayelsa State Government says it has concluded plans to install modern equipment at the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Referral Hospital, Igboegene-Epie, Yenagoa Local Government Area, to check the spread of the diseases.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei, said on Tuesday in Yenagoa that the equipment to be installed were medical apparatuses such as super-safe machine and microscopic appliances.

He added, “Others are laboratory bench, refrigerators, air conditioners, stabilisers and improved power supply; because without electricity, the hospital cannot work.

“We want to do this to ensure that the hospital is completely functional; the government is also working hard to expand the manpower requirement. This is a recurring issue in the state’s health sector.”

Owei urged the hospital management and staff members to imbibe the spirit of dedication in their service delivery and not to allow the current challenges to obstruct the smooth running of their services.

“You can support the restoration agenda of the state government by being committed to your duty,” he further stated.

Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Isaac Oworodo, maintained that the hospital had suffered epileptic power supply and shortage of manpower; urging the government to expedite action on its efforts to install the equipment and restore power supply in the hospital.