The aspiration of Yobe state government under the Governor Mai Mala Buni administration to curb the unacceptable rate of maternal, newborn and under-5 child mortality in the state; is becoming a dream come true with the completion of the construction of the Maternity, Paediatrics and Newborn Complex, at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu.
The seven blocks one storey structural complex has adequate spaces that is most patient-friendly, conducive and in keeping with evidence based global best practice in modern maternal, Newborn and Paediatric health care as found in advanced countries of the World.
This architectural master piece would adequately and indeed satisfactorily take care of expectant/nursing mothers, their newborn babies as well as children in general.
The Obstetrics and Gynaecology wing of the Complex has 64 Open Cubicles, five Call Duty Rooms, five Satellite Pharmacies, one side Laboratory and four Nurses’ Stations.
The Special Baby Care Unit (SBCU) has 3 adjoining generously spacious and nicely done Wards ie 28 Baby Cots ward for newborn babies suspected for sepsis, 10 newborn Cots Ward for BabyOut-Born babies and 10 newborn baby Cots Ward for In-born babies, four Nurses’ Stations, 10-bedspace room/unit for thier nursing mother. In addition, there is a 10-bed space room for nursing mothers to breastfeed thier new born babies, five Doctor’s Rest/Call Duty Rooms, five nurses’ Rest/Change Rooms, five offices for the unit Matron in charge , four additional offices health Information Management/Documentation, Seminar Room, a Library and with Kitchen and Stores.
The Labour Ward & Obstetrics Theatre Units; have provision for four operation suites rooms (including attached sterilization and scrubbing area , six recovery rooms, additional offices for anesthetics, peri-operative nurses, other theatre support staff, males and females change rooms, common room for staff.on duty, seminar and computer rooms.
The Paediatric medical ward: has 40 cubicles, four call rooms, four side labs and a satellite pharmacies.
Similarly, the Emergency Paediatrics Unit; has 32 bed space cubicles (including a resuscitation cubicle), 2 doctor’s call duty room, a side laboratory, nurses’ station, change room, satellite pharmacy and eight staff offices.
Apart from the gigantic MNCH Complex the Yobe State Government under the able and dynamic leadership of HE Hon Mai Mala Buni CON has constructed a modern 150-bed capacity isolation center with a state-of-the-art Public Health Laboratory at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital Damaturu.
In line with Governor Buni’s policy of providing standard and functional health facilities at all levels, state-of-the-art equipment are being installed at the center to provide all the necessary healthcare services to mother and child, to effectively curb the menace of maternal and child mortality in the state.
Meanwhile, a 32 apartment block of house officers quarters has been contructed at State Teaching Hospital to build upon the already existing housemanship programe at the Yobe State Specialist Hospital Damaturu.
There is no doubt that this ambitious project which is about to be commissioned will be the largest Maternal, Newborn and Child Healthcare Complex in Nigeria.
Mohammed is the Director Press to Yobe state government
