In a statement on Friday, health advocates said while public attention is often focused on blaming health workers whenever things go wrong in hospitals, little is said about the conditions under which they work.
“When a patient suffers, the first people to be blamed are the nurses or doctors on duty. But we rarely ask: how many staff are handling the work of three or four people? Are they equipped? Are they motivated?” the statement said.
The group noted that a functional healthcare system depends on a well-supported workforce. It stressed that doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, health records officers and other cadres all play interconnected roles, and neglecting one area affects the entire system.
According to them, many healthcare workers have retired or resigned in recent years, but replacements have not kept pace. The result, they said, is severe understaffing that forces one worker to do the job meant for several people, ultimately affecting quality of care.
“Building and renovating hospitals is important, but buildings alone cannot provide healthcare,” the statement added.
“A building cannot run laboratory tests.
A building cannot treat patients.
A building cannot prescribe medicines.
People make hospitals work.”
The stakeholders called on the Zamfara State Government to go beyond infrastructure projects and urgently recruit more health workers, provide essential equipment, and improve welfare and working conditions.
They argued that without adequate staffing and motivation, investments in health facilities will not translate to better outcomes for residents.
“This is one of the major challenges facing healthcare in Zamfara today. Government, civil society and the public must work together to demand real solutions,” they said.
Health workers across the state have in recent months decried long hours, lack of basic tools, and delays in allowances and promotions, factors experts say are driving more professionals to leave for other states or the private sector.
The Zamfara State Ministry of Health is yet to respond to the concerns as of press time.
Residents have also called for urgent action, saying access to quality healthcare remains a critical issue, especially in rural communities.
