In the heart of Anyigba, Kogi state, the 250-bed Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital (PAAUTH) was envisioned as a beacon of medical excellence during Capt Idris Wada’s administration.
However, neglect under the current leadership has transformed it into a haven for vandals, criminals, and undesirable elements.
Eight years ago, a multimillion-naira project began, laying the foundation for the new department of Medicine and promising various medical programs.
Today, remnants of rods and designs, once integral to the hospital’s structure, have fallen prey to vandalism, leaving behind a mere shadow of its intended glory.
The abandoned PAAUTH has become a refuge for criminal elements, utilizing the area to conduct heinous crimes within the university’s vicinity.
Students, entangled in cult activities and anti-social behaviors, have relocated to this forsaken institution, distancing themselves from the main campus.
The faculty of medicine, opting for outsourcing from other universities, has forsaken the original vision.
Programs and staff from institutions like the University of Ilorin and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada have taken precedence, rendering the PAAUTH structure obsolete.
A visit to PAAUTH Anyigba reveals the stark reality – a deserted structure masquerading as a teaching hospital, accompanied by a grandiose edifice devoid of essential medical equipment.
The state government’s attempt at modernization falls short, leaving the institution incapable of providing primary, secondary, or tertiary health services.
In this exposé, we delve into the decay of PAAUTH, urging a revival to reclaim its intended status as a cornerstone of healthcare in Kogi state.