By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The outgone Medical Director (MD) of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri, Borno state, Professor Ibrahim Abdu Wakawa has said that all arrangement have been concluded in the institution to unveil full Digital Health Services (DHSs) in all departments and units.

Hence, the hospital management has procured 46 assorted laptops which were distributed to medical doctors in preparation for take -off next week, as according to him, all other gadgets have been installed in the required units and departments.

He said, the initiative is aimed at reducing time wastage by clients and staff as well as to ensure data security.

Wakawa made this known on Tuesday at the Professor Umoru Shehu Hall of the hospital while delivering his valedictory speech and handing over ceremony to the new Acting Managing Director, Dr. Umar Baba Musami, after successfully completing his eight years, which marked his first and second tenure.

He pointed out that when he took over the mantle of leadership, precisely in the year 2018, the institution was preoccupied with alot of challenges associated with dilapidated infrastructure, staff shortage and many more, but with commitment, dedication, transparency and supports from all and sundry, the achievements recorded under his watch now outweighed these challenges.

Wakawa payed glowing tributes to his predecessors, Professor M.A Wakil and Dr. I.B Rabbebe for the solid foundation that they have laid for him to build upon.

Reeling out his stewardship which were marked with numerous achievements, Wakawa, an accomplished Professor of Mental Health and skilled Psychiatrist, categorizes infrastructure, Human resource improvement of health services provision and collaboration which received a boost.

His words: The leadership of this institution under my watch has been marked by numerous achievements such as transition to full Digital health services to reduce waiting time and ensure data security. Upgrading of obsolete equipment and facilities, upscaling of General Medical Services and it’s integration into Mental Health (MH)- which led to the establishment of Maternal and Child Complex that was commissioned last two weeks.

 “Also, remodeling and upgrade of the Admin Block, expansion of the hospital bed capacity from 120 to about 250, as well as construction of Molecular Laboratory with upgrading of pre -existing Lab, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Isolation Centre.

“We have also constructed the Electrodiagnostic Unit with State-Of-Art facilities, and installation of the Integrated Management System, IMS. Infact, our IMS is first to be installed in any public institution in the whole of the West African sub-region.

“More so, we have constructed a brand new College of Nursing Science, Nursing Blocks, Engineering and Stores, Assessment Unit, Umar Shehu Centre for Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS), Psychogesiatrics Unit, Laundry, in addition to remodeling and upgrade of wards, General Out-Patient Department (GOPD) and the Health Information System (HIM) unit of the hospital among others.

“On human resource development, over 400 staff members are now on the payroll, compared to when we took over with only about 150 staff, this is in addition to training and capacity development for staff and their welfare.

“On collaboration, this institution was selected by Federal Ministry of Health and United Nation Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in piloting Medical Assisted Treatment, collaborated with the International Office for Migration (IOM), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development partners for provision of services to indegent clients, partially those with Psycho- Social Disabilities (PSDs), as well as the collaboration with University of Sussex in the United Kingdom for a groundbreaking Research among blacks particularly those of Northern Nigerian extraction”. Wakawa stated.

He therefore used the opportunity to thank God Almighty, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, other management and staff of the institution for massive support given to him to achieve these successes.

He then called upon the management and staff to extend similar support to his successor to enable him continue from where he stopped.

Earlier in his acceptance speech, the new Acting MD, Dr. Musami poured encomiums on his predecessor and pledged to discharge his duty with fear of Allah, even as he said, transparency, accountability, inclusivity and dedication must be his topmost priority.

Many heads of departments at the institution, friends and well wishes who also witnessed the ceremony described  Professor Wakawa as principled, good leader and a technocrats who is going to be missed by all, even as they prayed for his good health, long life and prosperity in his future endeavours.

Highlight of the occasion was presentation of a merit Award to the outgone Managing Director.