Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has directed the Commissioner for Health to investigate allegations that equipment donated to Umaisha General Hospital was diverted and sold.
The governor gave the directive on Wednesday in Lafia following a viral video in which Ibrahim Sa’ad, member representing Ugya/Umaisha State Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, alleged that orthopedic mattresses and fans he donated to the hospital had been stolen.
Sule spoke during the inauguration of newly appointed commissioners, saying the government would dismiss and prosecute anyone found culpable after the investigation.
The governor described the alleged diversion and sale of the donated equipment as inhumane and unacceptable, warning that his administration would not tolerate actions that undermine healthcare delivery.
“I cannot see how somebody who works in the hospital will now allow himself to sell what somebody donated to help the vulnerable,” Sule said.
He said he had directed the Commissioner for Health to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action against anyone found responsible.
“I have already asked the Honorable Commissioner for Health to investigate, dismiss and prosecute them,” he said.
Sule stressed that dismissal alone would not be sufficient punishment if the allegations were established.
“Firing those found guilty alone to go free will not give us peace of mind. We need to prosecute them for this inhuman attitude of theirs, to allow their people to die while they are enjoying the little money they sold the mattresses, probably at half price,” he said.
The governor added: “This cannot be tolerated. I am waiting for the Commissioner’s report, and based on that report, I don’t even want to hear anything else.”
Meanwhile, Sa’ad said the Ministry of Health, working with the Hospital Management Board, had responded promptly to the situation.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Lafia, the lawmaker expressed optimism that the matter had been resolved and that clarification had been provided regarding the donated items.
Sa’ad explained that he donated the equipment more than two years ago and that the items had been kept in the hospital store, while some were being used in the hospital quarters by staff posted to the facility.
He said his intervention was not intended to discredit the Ministry of Health or ridicule any stakeholder associated with it.
“My action is not aimed at discrediting the Ministry of Health, Nasarawa State, nor is it politically motivated to ridicule any stakeholder affiliated to the ministry,” he said.
Sa’ad added that all stakeholders should remain focused on improving healthcare for residents of Umaisha and Ugya.
“We are partners in ensuring that the health status of the indigenes of Umaisha/Ugya is an important index in measuring the success or otherwise of our people,” he said.
He also urged members of the public to support healthcare initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
