Concerned citizens and health workers in Kurmi LGA, Taraba State, have appealed to the state government for urgent intervention over the deteriorating condition of the First Referral Hospital, FRH, Baissa. They described the facility as being in a critical state and struggling to serve as the main healthcare provider for the area.The appeal was made at the weekend following the circulation of photographs on social media showing severe infrastructural decay at the hospital.
Residents and healthcare workers said the facility, which serves over 100,000 people in Kurmi LGA and surrounding border communities, is battling major operational challenges.According to the group, several wards and units are dilapidated, with leaking roofs, inadequate water supply, and erratic electricity. They also alleged that essential medical equipment is either broken or unavailable, creating unsafe conditions for patients and staff.Reports from the facility further indicated a severe shortage of manpower, with some units reportedly run by only one or two volunteer workers. Stakeholders said the shortage has crippled emergency services and night-duty operations.
Speaking through Dauda Hosea Bello, the concerned citizens warned that the hospital’s current state could lead to preventable deaths, health complications, and a loss of public confidence in the healthcare system.They stressed that FRH Baissa remains the backbone of healthcare delivery in Kurmi LGA and neighbouring communities. They added that the collapse of the facility would leave primary healthcare centres without a functional referral destination for emergency cases.The group also argued that the situation could jeopardise Taraba State’s access to healthcare funding, including programmes tied to functional referral systems under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and other donor-supported initiatives.
In their appeal, the stakeholders called on Governor Agbu Kefas and relevant authorities to take immediate action through emergency rehabilitation and modernisation of the hospital.They requested urgent repairs to damaged infrastructure, provision of modern medical equipment, installation of solar power systems, construction of boreholes for reliable water supply, and basic theatre equipment.They also urged the government to deploy more healthcare personnel, including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and community health extension workers.