By Ere Robinson Erebi
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Vital equipment, such as the solar inverter, GeneXpert machine, computer systems, airconditioner, and other items belonging to the Bayelsa State Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Referral Hospital in Igbogene-Yenagoa, was reportedly vandalized and stolen by yet-to-be-identified robbers on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
A reliable source at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed to Erevision MediaTV’s correspondent that the robbers entered the facility from the front and broke in through the ceilings.
The source also took this reporter, who was incidentally there for a test, on a tour of the facility to assess the extent of the damage caused by the vandals.
According to the source, the GeneXpert machine is the heart of this hospital; without it, the facility would be like a man without a heart. He emphasized that since the incident occurred, the laboratory has been overwhelmed with samples and backlogs of work, stressing that the robbers had previously vandalized the transformer and solar panel.
“The implication is that the work stops. You can’t conduct any tests. To diagnose TB, we need to submit samples to the GeneXpert machine. It analyzes samples and determines whether it is TB or not. Moreover, it identifies the type of TB, whether it is drug-susceptible or drug-resistant. From there, the doctor can proceed accordingly.”
“Gone are the days when they relied on microscopes; this is computer technology. If you remove a man’s heart, what is left? There are hundreds of samples waiting, and the lab technician worked tirelessly yesterday to continue today, only for them to vandalize the equipment so that we cannot work again. This is not hunger; it’s sheer wickedness.”
“What are the complications of TB? TB kills. People are afraid of HIV, but I tell them HIV does not kill. TB is the number one killer. When people’s immunity is compromised, TB is the first opportunity for infection, and it is what kills, not HIV. Those of us who understand the implications find this very sad—very sad. This is not a matter of hunger; this is wickedness,” he said.
Erevision MediaTV also gathered that this is about the fourth time this type of theft has occurred at this facility that is established to offer free medical services to the people.
“They are coming in stages. When they carry the wires and everything, we suspect they’ll vandalize the solar panels too. Somebody un-installed all the panels and put them inside the hospital. They came again but never succeeded in taking the panels.”
“Now, the implementing partners were so gracious; they came and fixed these panels just last week on the rooftop of the building. You can see how many there are. See, when someone is hungry and steals, it’s a different thing. This is sheer wickedness,” the source said.
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