Kunle Adelabu
-80 – bed facility approved as full – fledged General Hospital – PS Health Commission
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbass, PhD, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP – SDGs), Her Excellency, Princess (Dr.) Adejoke Orelope – Adefulire, OFR, NPoM, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, commissioned a new 80 – bed capacity General Hospital in Imota, Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, with the later stating that the facility will assist in addressing some of the several challenges confronting the health sector, especially in the rural areas.
The epoch making facility, facilitated by the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, is equipped with state – of – the – art – facilities – one operating theatre, recovery room, private and general wards, consultation rooms, laboratories, ultra – scan machine, vacuum extractor, delivery sets and emergency cart with full compliments. There are also Children and Mother ICUs (intensive Care Units).
Rt. Hon. Abbass, commissioning the facility, commended Rep. Benson for his commitment to quality representation which he said resulted in the hospital being commissioned.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the relentless pursuit of a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria. As we gathered to commission this 80 – bed hospital here in Imota in Ikorodu Federal Constituency, we are not just commissioning a building but also affirming the government’s unwavering commitment to the health and well – being of all Nigerians”, Rt. Hon. Abbass said.
“Firstly, I will like to express my profound gratitude to Hon. Babajimi Benson, member representing this constituency at the House of Representatives. Your dedication and relentless advocacy have made this project a reality. This project that you championed epitomizes your commitment to the needs and well – being of the good people of this constituency.
“This is the spirit of service and dedication to people that every legislator and indeed public servants should aspire to do”, he said.
He emphasized that the facility in Imota, will help in addressing many challenges confronting the health sector in the country, especially in Lagos with large population but many cannot access quality health services.
“Several significant challenges have confronted the health sector in Nigeria. These challenges were further with devastating consequences during the COVID 19 pandemic during which Lagos was the worst hit”, he said.
“Prominent among issues confronting the health sector is inadequate infrastructures. Hospitals and clinics are often overwhelmed in urban centres like Lagos, due to high demand. The situation is worsening due to infectious diseases in Nigeria, like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and the preponderance of other diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Critically, true access to health care is uneven with significant parities between urban and rural areas among different economic groups.
“Here is Lagos, where there are advanced facilities, however, they are often inaccessible to the poorer segment of the population. Other significant threat to the health sector in Nigeria, is the shortage of qualified health care professionals including doctors, nurses and specialists.
“Currently, Nigeria has a doctor to population ratio of 1 doctor to 8000 people, instead of one doctor to 60 people as recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO). Experts argue that it will take us at least 20 years at the minimum to produce the 400, 000 health workers needed to fill in the gap and cater for the health needs of Nigerian’s 220million population”, Speaker Abbass said.
He added that the challenges confronting the health sector have been compounded by ‘Japa’ factor and brain drain, while reiterating that the facilitated 80 – bed hospital, will go a long way in providing solutions to health care challenges in the rural areas.
“It is against this background that this project assumes even greater significance. This 80 – bed hospital purposely designed for women and children, responds to some of the above mentioned challenges. It also targets the most vulnerable of the population. As such, this hospital is not just a physical structure but a symbol of hope”, he said.
“It represents our collective aspirations for a Nigeria where quality healthcare is not just a privilege but a right of every citizen. The right to health is guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. It is also guaranteed under the Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, known as the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policies.
“The provision of this section has specifically and specially been dedicated to the socio – economic rights, including the right to health which the Nigerian government must vigorously pursue.
“With this state – of – the – art – equipment and facilities, the hospital is poised to address some of this community’s most pressing healthcare challenges. From providing essential maternal and childcare services to tackling diseases and emergencies, this hospital will play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of people of this constituency and Lagos at large”, he assured.
The Speaker said that to further prove the present government’s seriousness to improved healthcare services, the allocation to the health sector in the 2024 budget represens the highest figure allotted to it since 1999.
He assured Nigerians that the House of Representatives will ensure that there will be improvement in health funding in line with the renewed hope mantra of President Bola Tinubu, to meet Nigerians’ needs.
The SSA to President on SDGs, whose office awarded the contractor for the hospital and supervise its construction, Prince Orelope – Adefulire, commended President Bola Tinubu administration for working closely with other national governments to deliver key interventions in fast tracking the achievements of SDGs
She also commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for the socio – economic transformation of the state in achieving the SDGs goals and the National Assembly in replicating same across the country.
This facility is one of the Mother and Child constructed and equipped by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), across Nigeria.
Adefulire said that the SDGs has been fully integrated and domesticated in 18 states governments’ plans and programmes out of the 36.
She said that the commissioned Mother and Child Hospital, is part of the FG’s interventions and actions to support the state and local governments.
“This is to compliment what the state and the local governments are already doing to ensure that people in this community enjoys good health and well – being, and I want to congratulate the people here present, especially people in this community, for this laudable initiative being facilitated by our dear brother and your elected representative who is indeed a good representative and doing well in Abuja since he was elected some years ago, and I am proud to be associated with him”, she said.
“The 80 – bed hospital is equipped with state – of – the – art – facilities and is well built and well finished, and you can see the structure. The same way we have fully equipped the centre for operations”, she added.
Rep. Benson, speaking earlier, thanked Mr Speaker for gracing the occasion despite the change in his schedule.
“It is a great day and I remember what Ranodu always tells me that in politics, you have to follow two Fs – fame and fortune. He said that when you go into politics, you first pursue fame by doing all the foot works and that fortune will follow”, he said.
“That is what our Rt. Hon. Speaker epitomizes. He is a man who has pursued fame. He has been a teacher, lecturer, House of Reps member with 74 unprecedented bills out which 31 have been signed into laws.
“We were supposed to sign the national budget in Lagos, but Mr President decided to go to Abuja, and Mr Speaker was already in Lagos to sign and I had fear that this commissioning may not happen today again, because Mr Speaker had to fly back to Abuja yesterday, and if he had stayed back in Abuja, we won’t be here today.
“Because of the love he has for us in Ikorodu Federal Constituency, he flew back to Lagos yesterday evening to make this day”, Rep. Benson said.
The third term lawmaker, who is chairing the House Committee on Defense, also spoke glowingly of the SSA to the President on SDGs, for using her office in improving the socio – economic lives across Nigerians.
“I also thank our former Deputy, Her Excellency, Adejoke Adefulire. I have never seen a woman so dedicated, passionate and committed to developing Nigeria as a whole”, he said.
“Her footprints are everywhere in Nigeria. You will see it in schools, health care and in sporting facilities throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria. I can’t thank you enough, Ma, for deeming it fit to bring this 80 – bed hospital to Ikorodu Federal Constituency
“This is not the only thing she had brought here, she has given us sporting facility, hospitals, stadia and I am sure that you will give us a befitting quarters that will be here”, he said.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Commission, Dr Benjamen Eniayewun, announced to the jubilant audience that skeletal services have commenced in the hospital and work will commence fully as soon as the Imota LCDA vacated the structures within the premises being used as Secretariat.
He also stated that the facility will serve as a full – fledged General Hospital.
After the commissioning, the Speaker and other dignitaries were led on the tour of the state – of – the – art – facilities and equipment inside the hospital.
Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, former Deputy Governor and chieftain of the GAC, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and Chairman, Imota LCDA, Hon. Wasiu Agoro, in their separate remarks, also commended the Speaker, the representative of gge Ikorodu Federal Constituency and the SSA on SGDs, for the projects and for supporting the Renewed Hope policy of President Tinubu.
Some of the residents of Imota that spoke with THE IMPACT also commended Rep. Benson for facilitating a project they said will impact them in no small way.
Members of the National Assembly, Members of the State Assembly, Council Chairmen, traditional rulers and political leaders among others also graced the historic commissioning.
