Writing By Ismai’l Adamu, Editing By Godwin Duru
Despite diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and Niger Republic owing to the exit of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS, patients suffering from different ailments from Niger Republic flock to Jibia, a border town in Katsina State, to seek medical attention.
On a visit to the Comprehensive Health Center and General Hospital in Jibia, our correspondent met dozens of patients, mostly women, from Niger Republic who were also at the health centers for ante-natal and post-natal care as well as treatment and medication for different ailments.
Most of the women are from neighboring Maradi State of Niger, which has an extensive border with Katsina State.
Nafisa Suleiman from Kwarmazawa village and Asma’u Haruna from Kale in Maradi State said they brought their infants for medical care at the Comprehensive Health Center, Jibia.
“They examined my baby and gave me free drugs and RUTF, they have good facilities here and their services are very good”, Nafisa said.
Rabi Sani from Mairaga village in Maradi was also at the center for post-natal care where her underweight baby was examined and given free drugs and RUTF.
Dahiru Magaji, the official in charge of the center said they witness a daily influx of patients from Niger Republic especially pregnant women that seek ante-natal care and take very good care of them.
“Most of them are from Dan Isa, Faru, Mada-Runfa, Kale, Hirji, Mairaga and other communities in Maradi, some of them even deliver their babies here.
“The Local Government has constructed a new pediatric ward at this Health Center and equipped it with all the necessary equipments and ensures regular supply of drugs and other medical supplies at the center.
“This is in addition to the construction of a doctors’ quarters at the Comprehensive Health Center, General Hospital Jibia, and General Hospital, Daddara.
“Our people here in Jibia have premium healthcare services, but we cannot stop people from Niger Republic who also wish to seek medical attention in our health facilities”, Magaji said.
Isma’il Adamu
