In the Gloom: Students Bemoan Location of UDUS Emergency Ambulance on Campus

When Muritadoh Nafeesah, a 300-level student of Science and Vocational Education at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, found herself in a critical health condition, the thought of receiving medical attention raced a thousand miles in her mind, as she was probably eager to call the university’s clinic ambulance.

She was disappointed after she realised that no student ambulance was available at the hostel to transport her to the school clinic. Later her roommates conveyed her to the clinic, lifting her by the shoulders.

Upon their arrival at the school clinic, they were welcomed with shock when some nurses told them that injections were not available at that moment. They had to wait for another doctor before they could receive any medication, as the available doctor had elapsed her shifting periods.

Nafeesah is not alone. Mohammed Saleh Amina, a 200-level student of Public Administration, faced a similar situation, revealing significant gaps in the university’s healthcare system. This happened when one of her coursemates, whose name was not mentioned, experienced difficulty breathing. 

Realising the implication of her friend’s condition, she immediately sought help, contacting the campus clinic using their emergency number. She was shocked when the clinic responded that there was no fuel in the ambulance, leaving her disappointed. “I had to leave her with my friends and rushed to the hostel minimart where I got a bike to transport her to the clinic,” Amina recalled.

Abdulfatai Faizah, another student of the university, showed her displeasure over the unsettled conditions of the health facility in the school.

“There was this particular day when I was sick and fell unconscious. My roommates were so panicked that day. Later, one of them suggested we call the ambulance, but after several calls, they did not show up. Then, I was later conveyed to the clinic using a motorcycle,” Faizah said.

Her account captured a dreadful situation where students’ health problems are met with less emergency response. “Are we going to talk about the issue of when we are being unconscious and have to use a bike as a means of getting to the clinic due to the unavailability of an ambulance? Or the delay of receiving treatment after getting to the clinic?”

Speaking with The News Digest Press, Dr. Ibrahim Umar, the Director of the UDUS clinic, expressed his challenges as the director of a public health center. 

He said: “The ambulance stationed at the clinic is for a short while because the one originally 

belonging to the school clinic has broken down.”

According to him, the engine cost over N300,000 before but now it is around N600,000 plus.  Dr Ibrahim, however, mentioned that the contractor rejected the contract due to the exorbitant price of the engine. 

“I would have shown you the contract document, but I could not find it now. We are still waiting for the engine, though it has taken time.”

Dr Umar further appreciated the efforts of some students’ unionism for their unwavering support, as he recounted how they sacrificed their buses on multiple occasions to support the clinic emergency.

“This problem would have been more difficult than this if not for the sake of MSSN (Muslim Student’s Association), the Christian Student’s Association, and the Caretaker Committee of the Student’s Union.

“In fact, before now, we were relying on them because they used to offer their buses to transport emergencies. However, the current economic situation in the country has stopped them.”

Therefore, the director promised to station the ambulance back to the school hostel even though it would be a difficult task for them to fuel it, recognizing a gap in belief efficiency in public services in the country. 

“We are not Aware of the Situation” — Dean of Students’ Affairs

Speaking with this reporter, the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Umar Aliyu, corroborated the statement of the clinic director and promised the students to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

His words: “Initially, the ambulance was stationed in the hostel but after the last semester, it was taken to the clinic. I told the clinic director to take it back to the hostel but I was told it was faulty and very soon, we will return it as they are working on it.

“To cater to the needs of the students, we ensured that the two drivers of the ambulance dropped their numbers with the students at the hostel for emergency purposes. The clinic director had to get the driver a new phone. Unfortunately, the phone was lost.

“Also, I have never received any complaint about the difficulties of fuel to transport students because the clinic has never for once brought that issue to us. This is my first time hearing such.”

Professor Umar further urged the students to understand the financial conditions of the school instead of bringing complaints that can paint the system.

“Students fabricate issues just to paint the systems. As long as I can remember, I’m always notified of drug shortages in the clinic. The same goes for injections. Just that students will always be students.”