Health
Ona-Ara Multi-million Naira Hospital Opens in Ibadan
THE newly constructed multi-millionaire Ona -Ara hospital aims at remaining a signpost and symbol of functional health system has begun operations, after it was officially commissioned by eminent Nigerians on Saturday.
The hospital located in the Ona-Ara axis of Ibadan was built by Dr. Emmanuel Oladipo.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Ona-Ara Hospital, Dr Oladipo informed that the mission and vision of the hospital was to contribute its quota towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
According to him, “we are opening our doors and intend to champion the reduction of maternal and child mortality and administration of vaccines for preventable and communicable diseases.
“We will create public awareness and sensitization for a clean and safe environment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), effective participation in NHIS initiative as well as general well-being of people for productive engagement,’’ he further assured.
The CMD, however paid resounding tributes to his mother, Mrs Janet Oladipo and wife, Mrs Jaccinta Oladipo for their unwavering supports in actualizing the dream.
Newly commissioned Ona-Ara Hospital
The event had in attendance, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Other prominent personalities present at the event include, Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi, Oyo State Commissioner for Finance and Budget and Engr. Seyi Makinde, a PDP chieftain.
In her remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Sunmonu urged the people to replicate such baronial gesture, emphasising that government alone could not do it.
Applauding the CMD, Oladipo on his commitment towards bringing health care services to the people, the lawmaker pledged to install a transformer in the hospital to serve the health facility and its environ.
Also, Engr. Makinde, who chaired the occasion admonished public office holders and politicians to always see development as their major driver as exhibited by Oladipo.
He noted, “we may have different political affiliations but when it comes to development we must all come together to contribute our quota to the development of our society”.
In a related development, Dr Kayode Obembe, a former President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) while delivering a lecture entitled `Universal Health Coverage with Eradication of Communicable Diseases in a Developing Country: Nigeria as a Case Study’ called on the federal government to increase budgetary allocation to health. He urged government to observe the 15 percent budgetary allocation to health agreed at the Abuja declaration of African Heads of States.
‘Nation’s health indices as a result of the precarious situation was very poor, calling for urgent action from the government and well-meaning Nigerians”
The Ex – NMA boss added that private hospitals must be integrated for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), averring that they are the bedrock of Community Based Health Insurance Scheme.
Congratulating the owner of the hospital, Obembe called on the Oyo State Government to support such initiatives to achieve qualitative and affordable health care delivery to the people.
Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have initiated a 14-day warning strike, as confirmed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The strike action, led by the association’s President, John Matthew, highlights various grievances, notably the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members.
Matthew added that the strike also addresses the non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, the failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite prior assurances from the state government, and the ongoing shortage of staff due to resignations.
Matthew lamented the drastic decrease in resident doctors, citing a decrease from 150 doctors to a mere 26 in recent months.
In response to the situation, he urged management to prioritise the full payment of arrears owed to members, immediate payment of the February 2024 palliative to house officers, and prompt disbursement of the February hazard allowance.
The association further called for urgent measures to address the critical shortage of clinical manpower within the institution.
The Federal Government has greenlit the allocation of N25 billion to bolster the efforts of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in advancing healthcare accessibility and quality across Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, made this known, stressing the steadfast commitment of the current administration towards revamping the healthcare system to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians.
In a statement by Deworitshe Patricia, a spokesperson for the ministry, Pate emphasised that the government’s strategy for health sector transformation involves the implementation of a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme (NHSRIP).
Addressing the imperative for reforms in Nigeria’s primary healthcare delivery, Pate highlighted the significance of revising the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and its associated programmes.
Pate outlined the objectives of the revised guidelines, which include expanding healthcare services for underserved populations, particularly women and children, reducing maternal mortality rates, alleviating out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, and standardizing healthcare quality across primary healthcare facilities nationwide.
“The Ministry, in collaboration with development partners, is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all Nigerians, with a special focus on vulnerable groups,” stated Pate. “Through initiatives like NHSRIP, we aspire to minimize the need for long-distance travel for medical care, thereby improving the overall health outcomes and well-being of our citizens.”
In a monumental achievement for medical science, a team of Saudi professionals at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina.
The directive for this historic achievement came from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing healthcare.
The complex procedure, initiated on Thursday morning, was the result of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of 38 medical experts. This group included consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff, all working in harmony to address shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves of the twins.
The surgery, unfolding in nine carefully planned stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, citing a noteworthy 70% success rate.
“This is a momentous occasion that showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and providing compassionate healthcare globally,” he said.
The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina commemorates the 60th operation conducted by the Saudi programme for separating conjoined twins. Over the past 34 years, this programme has offered care to 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries.
Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for their steadfast support of the programme.
He said, “The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes and its role as a leader in global healthcare.”
The Press Attaché at the Saudi embassy in Abuja, Mohammed Alsahabi, remarked on the accomplishment, stating, “This remarkable feat underscores the strong collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in healthcare. We take pride in contributing to the improvement of these twins’ lives and their families.”
The separation of Hassana and Husaina represents not just a medical triumph but also serves as a symbol of hope for numerous individuals confronting similar challenges globally.
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