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.

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.