In line with the vision and mission of the The Time is Now administration, spearheaded by His Excellency Barr. Caleb M. Mutfwang, the Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH) has commenced a three-day strategic planning retreat aimed at crafting a comprehensive five-year growth roadmap for the institution. The retreat, organized by the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Christopher S. Yilgwan, and the hospital’s top management team, kicked off today at the serene Miango Rest Home.
The opening ceremony was graced by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Plateau State government, healthcare professionals, and facilitators. The event marked a significant step toward repositioning the 92-year-old hospital as a global healthcare brand and a hub for medical tourism.
Mr. Gayi Timothy Gayi, representing the Head of Civil Service, emphasized the importance of strategic planning in achieving success. He stated, Without plans, nobody succeeds. Anybody who doesn’t plan well plans to fail. This retreat is a time for us to reflect on the past, identify gaps, and prepare for the future. He commended the hospital’s leadership for taking the initiative to develop a document that would guide the institution for generations.
Prof. Christopher Sabo Yilgwan, the Chief Medical Director, highlighted the hospital’s rich history and its transformation from a colonial health facility to a specialist hospital serving multiple states. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to universal health coverage and affordable healthcare for citizens. Our aim is not just to compete locally but to act locally and think globally. We envision a hospital that attracts international patients and contributes to the nation’s foreign exchange, he said.
Pharmacist Kim Jerry Bot, Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodities Management Agency, underscored the importance of quality healthcare delivery. He shared alarming findings about substandard medications in circulation and assured attendees of the agency’s commitment to ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and affordable drugs. We are working tirelessly to eliminate substandard medications and improve healthcare delivery across the state, he said.
Mr. Nuhu Mapak, representing the facilitators, expressed confidence in the retreat’s outcome. He praised the participants for their enthusiasm and collaboration, noting that the strategic plan would serve as a blueprint for the hospital’s future. The mantra is, ‘The Time is Now.’ Planning starts now, and we are confident that this document will guide the hospital to greater heights, he said.
Participants at the retreat shared their optimism about the initiative. Dr. Stephen Markhenry, a gastroenterologist at PSSH, described the retreat as inspiring. With the plans being developed, the hospital will be globally competitive in the next five years. This is a call to hard work, collaboration, and a human-centered approach to healthcare, he said.
Nurse Lami Choji Chollom emphasized the importance of planning for organizational success. This retreat is an eye-opener. It’s about preparing for the future and ensuring that our patients receive the best care possible. We want the hospital to become a model healthcare institution, she added.
The retreat is expected to produce a robust strategic document that will guide the hospital’s operations, infrastructure development, and service delivery over the next five years. The initiative aligns with the state government’s broader agenda to revolutionize healthcare and achieve universal health coverage.
As the Plateau State Specialist Hospital embarks on this transformative journey, stakeholders remain optimistic that the institution will emerge as a beacon of excellence in healthcare delivery, both locally and globally.
