Drama erupted at the Umaisha General Hospital in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State after an APC lawmaker stormed the facility and demanded answers over donated items he said had mysteriously disappeared.
The lawmaker representing the Umaisha/Ugya Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Sa’ad Abdullahi, had reportedly donated more than 50 ceiling fans, about 40 standing fans and 50 orthopaedic mattresses to the hospital several weeks ago.
But when he returned to the facility on Saturday for a follow-up visit, he was reportedly unable to find the items.
A video of the confrontation has since gone viral, showing the visibly angry lawmaker questioning hospital officials and demanding to know what happened to the items he said he bought with his personal money for the benefit of his constituents.
“Where are the ceiling fans? I bought more than 50 ceiling fans. Standing fans, I bought about 40. Where are they?” Abdullahi demanded.
He also turned his attention to the orthopaedic mattresses, recalling that he had previously been told they were being kept in the hospital store.
“Doctor, you remember the last time I spoke with you about the orthopaedic mattresses, you remember what you told me. Why are you lying to me?” he asked.
The lawmaker subsequently demanded to see the mattresses, insisting that they were purchased for patients and should be properly accounted for.
“How can you tell me this is the mattress I bought? Can you show the mattresses I bought? I bought them for my people,” he said.
Abdullahi’s anger appeared to deepen as he inspected the facility and questioned why patients were still facing poor conditions despite the items he said he had provided.
He challenged the officials to take him round the wards so he could see the mattresses for himself.
However, a hospital staff member offered an explanation for at least some of the mattresses.
According to the staff member, some mattresses were being given temporarily to patients who had been discharged, with the understanding that they would return them after two months.
About seven mattresses were reportedly with patients under the arrangement, while the staff member said efforts had been made to have them returned.
The explanation did little to calm the lawmaker, who continued demanding an account of the donated items, particularly the fans.
Abdullahi stressed that the items were bought with his personal funds to improve conditions at the hospital and assist people in his constituency.
“It is my money I used to buy it for my people. Why would they be suffering? Look at the condition of the people here,” he said.
He also said hospital workers who genuinely needed mattresses could approach him, insisting that he was willing to provide more.
The incident has generated public interest, particularly over the accountability of donations made to public health facilities.
As of Monday, there was no publicly available statement from the management of Umaisha General Hospital or the Nasarawa State health authorities explaining the whereabouts of the fans or providing a comprehensive account of all the donated mattresses.
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