FMC Misau Engages Leaders of Chinade Community, Underscores Need for Accessible Tertiary Healthcare

By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu

Representatives of the Federal Medical Centre, Misau, recently interfaced with community leaders in Chinade as part of efforts to strengthen ties with the community and encourage residents to seek medical care promptly whenever the need arises.

According to a statement by Yakubu Ahmed Yaya who is the PRO and head of Protocol Unit of the FMC Misau said, that the delegation was led by Dr. Ismail Tiamiyu which also included Mal. Yakubu Ahmad Yaya and Mal. Dalhatu Adamu. The team was received by Alhaji Babaji Waziri, Wazirin Chinade and Village Head of Cikin Gari.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Tiamiyu highlighted some of the health challenges affecting the community, including delays in seeking treatment, patients arriving at health facilities in critical conditions such as eclampsia and severe anaemia, as well as inadequate support from husbands and other family members during medical emergencies.

He cited a recent case involving a woman from Chinade who developed complications during childbirth. According to the report, the woman reportedly had received three units of blood at a chemist shop before some of her relatives eventually brought her to FMC Misau.

He said the patient’s husband did not come to the hospital and decided to withhold consent for the Caesarean Section recommended by the medical team.

Dr. Tiamiyu said the case showed the serious consequences that can follow when proper medical care is delayed. He urged families, particularly husbands and heads of households, to take medical emergencies seriously, seek treatment early and provide the necessary support whenever any relative needs urgent care.

He also used the opportunity to inform the community leaders about some of the services provided free of charge at FMC Misau.

They include free theatre services for pregnant women experiencing bleeding before or after delivery, free Caesarean Section for pregnant women who have been in labour for two days, and free Caesarean Section for patients with eclampsia. Children below 12 years are also eligible for free treatment for up to two days.

Other emergency cases covered by the Centre for up to 48 hours, he added, include snake bites, scorpion bites, accidents, electrical emergencies and building collapse incidents.

Mal. Dalhatu Adamu also appealed to the community leaders to encourage heads of families to act quickly whenever any of their relatives requires urgent medical attention.

He noted that a delay, even when it appears insignificant, can allow a patient’s condition to worsen. Families, he said, should not wait until a situation becomes critical before seeking proper medical care.

The delegation further encouraged residents to make use of tertiary healthcare services when any patient’s condition requires specialised attention, particularly in serious cases such as severe anaemia and eclampsia.

Responding to the visitors, Alhaji Babaji Waziri expressed his appreciation to the delegation and welcomed the engagement.

Waziri said that since assuming office as the village head, he had never received a visit of this nature from a healthcare institution. He described the engagement as a welcome development and an important step towards bringing healthcare services closer to the community.

He commended the Medical Director of FMC Misau, Dr. Rufai Abdu Dachi, for his efforts to improve healthcare services and strengthen the Centre’s relationship with communities within its catchment area.

The traditional leader also called on relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to address the practice of blood transfusion and medical treatment in unauthorised places, including chemist shops and unapproved dispensaries.

Waziri further raised concerns about the activities of unqualified medicine vendors operating in and around Chinade. He said some medicine sellers move from one village to another, administering drugs and injections to residents despite lacking the training and professional qualifications required to provide such services.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to take appropriate action to curb the practice and protect residents from potentially unsafe treatment.

The meeting provided an opportunity for FMC Misau and the Chinade community leadership to discuss the challenges affecting access to healthcare and consider ways to strengthen cooperation between the Centre and the community.