Patients from Niger Republic still visit health facilities in Jibia Local Government of Katsina State to seek proper medical care.
This is in spite of the problem in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Some of the patients interviewed by newsmen on Thursday applauded the way health workers treat them with respect and concern anytime they come to such health facilities from the border towns.
The patients said although they also have health facilities in their country, they preferred to come to such Nigerian health centres for better treatment.
They further said that they get all the necessary attention from the health workers whenever they visited the facilities.
Rabi Sani, a mother, said that she brought her child from Mairaga for treatment of diarrhea.
“I brought my child here because of diarrhea, they gave me medications.
“I am very grateful for treating my child. I was introduced to the facility by some people in our area,” she said.
Another woman, Ma’u Haruna, said that she came to Magama-Jibia Comprehensive Health Centre, for treatment of her child who is experiencing a fever.
“Health workers said my child is malnourished, they gave me milk and some drugs for the treatment of the disease.
“We came to Nigeria because they don’t discriminate. They provide all support to our children, that is why we decided to come here.
“They advised us on regular hand washing, especially before preparing food for a child,” she said.
On her part, Nafisa Lawal from Karmatawa said: “I brought my child here because I heard it from people that the health facility give proper treatment to all those who visited them.
“My child is having diarrhea and vomiting. I am after better treatment, I don’t mind the distance, even though, our health facilities are more closer to us.”
The Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Dahiru Magaji, said that they receive patients from neighbouring Niger Republic on a daily basis.
He noted that the patients usually come to receive treatment of their ailments, including malnutrition and child delivery.
He explained that they don’t discriminate among the patients, saying that they render effective healthcare services to anyone who visits the place.
NAN
