Upon her arrival, she was warmly received by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Nnamdi, who led the Honourable Commissioner and her team on an extensive guided tour of the hospital’s wards, laboratories, and administrative sections.
The visit drew the presence of several respected community stakeholders and leaders, including the Chairman of Dekina Progressive Union (DPU), Alh. Abdullaziz Abubakar Jibrin; former Dekina Local Government Chairmen Comr. Alh. Muhammed Ali and Hon. Alh. Kabir Idris; community leader Alh. Tijani Audu; the Achema of Dekina, HRH Alh. Ismaila Eiji; Dr. Alh. Shakur Yunusa; and the Chairman of the Dekina Local Government Council of Ulamau & Imams, Alh. Sheikh Muhammed Abubakar, among others.
Their collective presence highlighted a shared resolve to tackle the growing healthcare challenges facing the people of Dekina and its neighbouring communities.
During the inspection, Dr. Nnamdi lamented the poor state of the hospital, explaining that the facility has suffered years of neglect. He outlined several pressing issues, including dilapidated infrastructure, obsolete medical equipment, irregular power supply, inadequate water systems, and a shortage of qualified personnel. According to him, these challenges have severely limited the hospital’s capacity to deliver efficient and quality healthcare services to the large population it serves.
He appealed passionately for urgent intervention from both the State and Federal Governments to prevent further deterioration and avert potential loss of lives.
Responding, Hon. Hajia Rabietu Okute expressed deep concern over the deplorable condition of the facility, describing it as unacceptable in this modern era. She assured the hospital management and community that her ministry would escalate the situation to relevant authorities for immediate government attention.
She also called on lawmakers representing the area — including the Senator for Kogi East Senatorial District, Sen. Dr. Jibrin Isah Echocho, and the Member representing Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Paul Gowon Haruna — to partner with the state government in finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
The Honourable Commissioner reaffirmed that healthcare delivery remains a core pillar of humanitarian service and poverty alleviation under the administration of Governor Usman Ododo. She emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that no community in Kogi State is left behind in accessing quality and affordable healthcare services.
Hon. Hajia Rabietu Okute encouraged the people of Dekina to remain hopeful, assuring them that steps are already being taken to restore the hospital to a functional and dignified state — one that truly meets the healthcare needs of the people.
