The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has felicitated Professor Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye and Professor Alfred Ogbemudia on their appointment as Acting Medical Directors of the National Obstetrics Fistula Hospital, Benin City and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin City, respectively, which are proposed hospitals by the Federal Government in the State.
Obaseki who received the Acting Medical Directors, who were at the Government House, Benin City, on a courtesy visit to officially present their appointment letters to the Governor, said his government remains committed to transforming the State into a medical hub.
Hailing the Federal Government for siting the project in the State, the governor said his administration will work with the federal government to ensure the speedy realization of the proposed hospital projects to deliver quality healthcare services to the people of the State.
Obaseki said, “Let me thank the federal government, particularly the outgone Minister for Health and the former President for this very kind initiative and gesture which they have done for the people of Edo State and I assure them that history and posterity will remember them for this gesture. I also want to congratulate Professor Adeoye and Professor Ogbemudia for your appointments as Acting Medical Directors of the National Fistula Hospital, Benin and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin respectively.”
The governor continued: “Our approach to healthcare in Edo is an integrated one from the standpoint of having the various aspects of the healthcare system interact with each other from the primary healthcare structure through a centralized healthcare record system that will see referrals to institutions like yours.
“This will also be tied to a financing arrangement through our Edo State Health Insurance Programme so that people can pay for these expensive services of care, which you will be offering.
“As you are aware, we have designed a whole medical city where specializations like yours – orthopaedic hospital, fistula hospital, cancer hospital, paediatrics hospital and so on can be co-located if that is the desire of the federal government. Alternatively, there could be opportunity to get land infrastructure where you could build a standalone facility, which is not advisable since it would not have links with other existing medical facilities. But we will still assist to give you the land for that.”
He added, “The Edo State Government is prepared to work with the federal government to see that we have a quick and smooth take-up of these two institutions. We look forward to how you will work with the Ministry of Health for the next few weeks for a startup plan for both institutions.”
