Jos varsity medical director warns of possible attack

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Headlines, Plateau, State News Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Jos University Teaching Hospital Chief Medical Director, Dr. Ishaya Pam, has said the institution is under serious threat from bombers.

At least 10 persons were killed and 24 injured after suicide bombers attacked the St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church in Rayfield area of the crisis-prone Jos on March 10.

On Sunday night suspected Fulani herdsmen killed two anti-riot policemen attached to the Special Task Force, Palang in Bachit District of Riyom Local Government Area, and two others wounded when suspected Boko Haram members attacked the Police College in the Plateau State capital.

Apparently alarmed by the developments, Pam said JUTH was also vulnerable as it had been treating bomb blast victims and arrested suspected bombers.

The CMD in Jos on Wednesday, “Our institution is at the mercy of these bombers because we handle the cases of both the attackers and the attacked. In fact, a brawl was averted in one of the wards when a woman made a very careless statement. But for the intervention of senior doctors around, the situation would have been terrible.

“Everybody has access to the hospital and we cannot say that we won’t accept some patients because our duty is to save life, no matter who is involved. The Police bring in suspects for treatment without our knowledge and this is threatening the security of the hospital.”

He said despite the security arrangements by the management of the hospital there was a need for the police and other security agencies to give JUTH priority attention given the threat to lives in the state.

Pam said the facilities in the hospital had been overstretched because of the large numbers of patients admitted in recent times, calling on the Federal Government and groups to help the institution.

“The bills are becoming too much for the hospital to bear alone and we are calling on the relevant authorities to come to our assistance,” the CMD said.

He added, “Though, we are not folding our arms, we have taken some measures, but the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing lives and property still need to come to our aid, being a public institution with vital social responsibility. This will go a long way to instil confidence in the workers to carry out their duties without any fear.

“In addition to this, we have stopped people coming into JUTH from parking five metres to any structure within the hospital.”

-Punchwp_posts