Residents of Potiskum in Yobe State have expressed concern over the prolonged abandonment of the Accident and Emergency Unit project at the Potiskum Specialist Hospital.
The project, reportedly sponsored by the member representing Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency in the National Assembly of Nigeria, Fatima Talba, was initially conceived to strengthen emergency healthcare services in the busy commercial town.
However, several years after construction began, the facility remains incomplete, raising concerns among residents about the impact on medical response to emergencies in the area.
A resident, Adamu Ibrahim, told journalists on Monday that the project initially gave the community hope when construction started. According to him, many residents believed the new facility would improve healthcare delivery, particularly in handling accident victims and other urgent medical cases.
He explained that Potiskum serves as a major commercial and transport hub where road accidents occur frequently, especially along highways connecting neighbouring states.
“When they started building the accident and emergency unit, many of us were happy because we believed it would improve healthcare services in this town,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the project has been abandoned for years now. The building is standing there, but no work is ongoing.”
Another resident, Ibrahim Isa, also lamented the situation, noting that the lack of a functional emergency unit has created serious challenges for families seeking urgent medical treatment.
According to him, in cases of critical illness or severe accidents, some families are forced to move patients to other towns in search of adequate medical care, a process that can delay treatment and endanger lives.
A commercial driver in the town, Usman Sadiq, described the development as worrying because the town receives travellers from different parts of northern Nigeria on a daily basis.
He explained that accident victims are often rushed to the hospital, but the absence of a fully equipped emergency unit makes it difficult for health workers to handle such cases effectively.
A nurse at the hospital, Gambo Ibrahim, also stressed the importance of completing the project, noting that accident and emergency units are vital for treating life-threatening conditions quickly.
Residents have therefore appealed to relevant authorities and the lawmaker linked to the project to ensure the completion of the facility. Attempts to reach Fatima Talba for comments were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls at the time of filing the report.
