Residents and medical staff in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State have raised urgent concerns about the crumbling state of the First Referral Hospital in Baissa. They describe the facility as being in a precarious condition, no longer able to effectively serve the over 100,000 people who depend on it for primary and emergency healthcare.
Recent images circulating on social media have highlighted severe structural decay within the hospital, prompting a collective appeal from community leaders and healthcare workers. The group, speaking through Dauda Hosea Bello, warned that without immediate government action, preventable deaths and worsening health outcomes are inevitable.
The hospital, which is the primary referral center for Kurmi LGA and adjacent border communities, reportedly suffers from leaking roofs, erratic water supply, and inconsistent electricity. Critical medical equipment is either broken or completely absent, creating hazardous conditions for both patients and staff.
Manpower shortages have also reached critical levels, with some departments running on just one or two volunteer workers. This has severely impacted emergency response and overnight care, leaving the hospital unable to fulfill its role as a reliable healthcare destination.
Stakeholders emphasized that the collapse of FRH Baissa would have cascading effects, straining primary health centers that rely on it for referral services. They also noted that the state’s access to vital healthcare funding—such as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and donor programs—depends on maintaining functional referral systems.
In their appeal, the group called on Governor Agbu Kefas to prioritize emergency rehabilitation. Their demands include fixing damaged infrastructure, supplying modern medical gear, installing solar power, drilling boreholes for reliable water, and equipping the theatre with basic tools. They also urged the government to deploy more doctors, nurses, lab scientists, and community health extension workers to address the staffing crisis.