How TSA Policy is Affecting Health Care Delivery in Taraba – CMD
By Chuwang Dungs, Jalingo
Health care delivery in Taraba State is very far from being ideal, but the state government is making it even worse, DAYLIGHT REPORTERS has learnt.
Doctors at the State Specialist Hospital, in Jalingo, said the recent introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), by the state government has added to the existing challenges of health care delivery in the hospital.
A Specialist who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said with the introduction of TSA, services are going down as they can no longer revolve, or assist patients through the hospital welfare scheme as it used to be in the past.
“Unfortunately, things are going down and I think it is time to raise the alarm. Not just doctors are leaving the hospital, the services are becoming tough with the introduction of the TSA policy.
“The TSA was introduced to solve a problem, maybe corruption and others, but it has created new problems.
“That is a big problem. Our healthcare system is seriously affected, and the quality of services we will be providing in establishments like this will fall.” He said.
Alex Maiangwa, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), of the Taraba State Specialist hospital Jalingo, told DAYLIGHT REPORTERS that there are a myriad of challenges currently facing health care delivery in the state.
Maiangwa said the TSA policy recently introduced by the state government is another major factor affecting service delivery in the hospital.
Maiangwa, a Consultant Obstetric Gynaecologist, said initially the government allowed them to generate funds, but every fund generated now goes to TSA so they no longer have the liberty to spend as they used to.
“We are facing a very serious challenge due to the TSA policy, although we are not against any decision taken by government
“We appreciate the TSA, however it is affecting the services of the hospital. TSA is the major factor of Out-of-stock syndrome (OOS) in all public health centers you can google and verify.
“OOS is a public health issue that occurs when an essential drug is unavailable at the point of care. It’s a common problem in public hospitals.
“When we were revolving, when we had access to our funds as a hospital, we were even supplying FMC with materials because the TSA was constraining them but now because of the TSA getting drugs and other basic items is becoming difficult for us.
“We are still trying and we are still working on it to see how we can address the issue by reaching out to all those concerned in government.
“Government should rescue us, everything depends on the government, they need to really excuse medical profession from some policies
Maiangwa also blamed economic challenges for the low patronage being experienced in public hospitals.
He noted that the economic situation of the country has made many people resort to other alternative health care services.
“Well maybe people are no longer fallen sick which I am happy, but I believe the low number of patients in the hospital is as a result of the current economic challenges
“The current economic challenges have affected healthcare delivery in so many ways because it has greatly affected the purchasing power of people and because they don’t have money, they would shun qualitative healthcare or resort to herbal or traditional treatment.”
The CMD also lamented over the consequences of the recurring power outage and increase in petroleum prices, he said the hospital depends on diesel and solar energy to power life-saving equipment and essential services in theatres, diagnostics centers and wards.
“The issue of electricity is one of the major challenges but his Excellency has been working to address the issue.
“We must commend him, he came here himself and directed the installation of solar lights. There is already a solar plant that supplies the accident and emergency unit, the children ward and the maternity ward.
“One of our theaters also uses solar, when there is no light it is powered 24 hours and there are plans to power the entire hospital, including solar street lights along the walkways,” he explained.
“You know we operate round the clock and we cannot afford to run out of power due to the kind of equipment we are using. We thank God and thank the state government for its tireless support to us
Speaking on the issue of lack of doctors in the hospital, he noted that the immediate and greatest challenge of the hospital is that of clinical manpower, he said “even if you have the best equipment the hospital needs the services of specialists to operate them which we are lacking.
