By Golok Nanmwa, Jos

Plateau state government on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU )with a company, Hospital Assist Nigeria Ltd to improve the health services of the Plateau specialist Hospital and also to rescue the health sector of the state.

Speaking while signing the agreement, the commissioner of health in Plateau Dr . Kuden Kamshak, said “one of the five policy thrust of the Simon Lalong led administration is to provide qualitative health services to the people of the state”.

Kamshak said the Lalong led administration is determined to upgrade the Plateau specialist hospital and other state owned hospitals in the state.

“The MOU terms   covers that Hospital Assist Nigeria Ltd  would renovate, upgrade and equip the Radiology department of the Plateau specialist hospital.

“Plateau would also benefit from manpower development as the coy would also train staff of the hospital. ”

Kamshak who lamented the high cost of radiologist services in some hospital in the state said Plateau State government is determined to reduce to the barest minimum the services in the state with the revamping of the Plateau specialist hospital .

He said when revamped, the state specialist hospital radiology department would offer 24 hours services at an affordable rate for all citizens of the state.

He also said the total cost is 850 million Naira with Plateau State government  contributing 30 percent of funds.

Chief Executive officer of Hospital Assist Nigeria Ltd Dr Wale Alabi, thanked the state government for the agreement and pledged to deliver in six months.

Gov Simon Lalong who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Government of the state Rufus Bature, said Health is wealth and Plateau cannot be left behind in providing qualitative health care services to the people .

He lamented the deplorable state of the Plateau specialist hospital before the   coming in of the All Progressive Congress led administration in Plateau said the Lalong led administration would continue to better the lives of citizens of the state.

The Lalong led administration is determined to upgrade the health sector in the state in order to discourage medical toursim  and to also Carter for the needs of the downtrodden in the state , he added.