By Stella Kabruk

 Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), Kaduna, on Tuesday honoured outstanding staff members for excellence in healthcare delivery, research, innovation and service, while calling for greater support to retain skilled health professionals.

Speaking at the hospital’s maiden ABCD Awards, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Abubakar Tabari, said the initiative was introduced to recognise and celebrate dedicated staff members.

He said the award recipients had contributed significantly to the growth and achievements of the institution through their professionalism, commitment and hard work.

According to him, the awards will become an annual event aimed at promoting excellence, boosting staff morale and encouraging outstanding service delivery.

“It is not every day that staff work tirelessly without recognition. This award ceremony is designed to appreciate those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving patients and the public,” he said.

Tabari noted that the hospital had recorded remarkable achievements in healthcare education, research and innovation through several national and international collaborations.

He also disclosed that through prudent financial management and improved service efficiency, the hospital had consistently ranked among the top three revenue-generating government agencies in Kaduna State.

While commending Gov. Uba Sani for supporting healthcare workers’ welfare and approving the continuation of work at the abandoned Accident and Emergency Unit project, Tabari urged the government to do more to retain skilled professionals.

“Brain drain remains one of the greatest challenges confronting healthcare institutions. Improving welfare packages, working conditions and career development opportunities will help retain our best talents,” he said.

Explaining the rationale behind the ABCD awards, the CMD said the initiative was designed to appreciate and reward workers who had demonstrated exceptional commitment to patient care and service delivery.

He expressed optimism that the programme would continue to promote excellence and strengthen staff motivation across the hospital.

In her remarks, the Kaduna State Programme Manager of the Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP), Mrs Sannom Hayab, described BDTH as a strategic partner that had played a critical role in the organisation’s activities.

Hayab recalled that the organisation, then known as ICAP, established its first office in Kaduna within the hospital premises in 2005.

She said the partnership between CIHP and BDTH had contributed significantly to strengthening HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services across the state.

“Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital has remained a trusted partner and the foundation upon which impactful HIV programming in Kaduna State has been built,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Kabiru Musa of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, commended BDTH for introducing the staff recognition initiative.

He described the awards as a laudable effort that would motivate workers, improve productivity and encourage excellence across healthcare institutions.

Musa urged other ministries, departments and healthcare facilities to emulate the initiative, stressing that recognising workers’ contributions would boost morale and help address workforce migration.

In his remarks after receiving an award for excellence in research and innovation, Prof. Musa Kana attributed his success to quality education, teamwork and institutional support.

Kana dedicated the award to his parents, colleagues and the hospital management, saying the recognition reflected the collective efforts of many individuals.

“This award is not just for me. It reflects the support I received from my parents, colleagues and mentors who contributed to my success,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Halima Bello-Manga, who received awards for Research and Innovation and Service Excellence on behalf of doctors in the Department of Haematology, described the recognition as a morale booster.

Bello-Manga said the award reflected the collective efforts of her team and the support provided by the hospital management in advancing research and quality healthcare delivery.

According to her, the recognition would encourage healthcare workers and researchers to continue generating knowledge and developing solutions that improve patients’ lives.

She added that her team had spent nearly 15 years conducting research and providing services aimed at addressing health challenges and improving patient outcomes.(NAN)