Connect with us

Health

We’ll sustain collaboration with UCH to improve health sector—Makinde

Published

on

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has stated the readiness of his administration to sustain the collaboration and cooperation between the State and the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The Governor, who made the disclosure while hosting the Board of Management of UCH during a courtesy visit to his office, said that the collaboration would help raise the bar of health care delivery in Oyo State.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr.Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying that the Government of Oyo State would make the UCH Annex, Sepeteri functional.

Governor Makinde, while addressing the UCH team, led by the chairman of the Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Bako Shettima, said his administration would continue to leverage on institutions like the UCH to improve the Secondary Health Institutions in the State.

This was just as the Governor promised that his Government would continue to support the UCH in any way, stating that the State was quite appreciative of what the institution had been doing and would love to sustain the productive collaboration and partnership with the frontline health institution.

Governor Makinde said: “UCH has a history of collaboration and cooperation with the people and Government of Oyo State. So, I want to thank you for that and ask that this should be sustained.

“It has been a history of firsts for us in Oyo State. TheCocoa House building was started around 1959 and commissioned in 1965 and when we look at the area today, the skyline has not changed. So, we ask ourselves how do we sustain the vision of the leaders that brought such massive developments to this part of the world? Western Nigerian Television (WNTV) also happened to be the first television station on the continent. Even historically, I was told that the station came into being before the Southern part of France even had the opportunity to watch TV. Today, we watch DSTV and almost every home cell in Nigeria is paying some money to South Africa who came behind us.

“The same thing is happening in the health sector. Historically, I also read that UCH, in the evaluation that was done in the late 50samong the Commonwealth countries, was rated far higher than the University College in London itself. So, we have basically derailed from the trajectory, which our founding fathers set for us as acountry but that is not the end of the story. The story is that we have to hold ourselves responsible and accountable to change thenarrative; to put in our best such that two years from now, we shouldsee how we have leveraged on that to raise the bar.

“This administration is resting on four major pillars; education,security, health and expansion of our economy. So, health is a majorpillar and we will continue to look up to institutions like UCH to assist us, support us, collaborate with us. I believe the management of UCH will deploy its excess capacity to support our secondary health institutions in Oyo State. Whatever I can do to support the process, I am available and we will do it together.”

Governor Makinde called on the management of the UCH to avail the Government of the state of things at the Hospital’s annex in Sepeteri, Saki East Local Government, noting that his administration would ensure that the facility is fully function.

He said: “We want the UCH annex in Sepeteri, Saki East Local Lovernment area to remain functional and if there are challenges we need to be aware of as a government, we are ready and willing to ensure that the objective in that place is realised.

“Personally, I have visited UCH many times and when things were really tough for me towards the election in 2015, I had to move into UCH because of the security challenges. So, I will say, at that time, UCH basically saved my life. I want to believe that the same level of
alertness  on  security is being maintained.

“So, if there is a need to support you in any way, let us know. We aregoing to do that even without blinking an eye. It is good that wetransited at the same time in March. Now, we can both benchmark our progress the same way. We don’t believe we know everything in this place. If you see anything, which may not be even health-related, please, let us know and we will be ready to engage.”

Earlier, the chairman of the UCH Board of Management, Alhaji Shettima said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate Governor Makinde on his election and eventual victory after three rounds of legal hurdles and also to cement the relationship between the UCH and the Oyo State Government.

He appreciated the Oyo State Government for its support andcollaboration with the institution, which he said had a history ofmany firsts like the State, calling on the Government to look in theHospital’s direction whenever it needs ideas to sustain its pacesetter status.
“The management may have its own vision and mission but UCH is one of the teaching hospitals in the country, which is owned by the Federal Government. So, ordinarily, we are guided by policy of the Federal Government on health care service delivery.

“For now, the government is prioritising primary health care and that was the point the Governor was making; the contribution UCH is making in Sepeteri, Ibarapa and also a couple of other places in the State.”

Comments

Health

Trump cleared for office, doctor orders weight loss ahead of 80th birthday

Published

on

By

United States President Donald Trump has been declared medically fit to continue in office, with his physician describing him as being in “excellent health” while recommending weight loss and increased physical activity weeks before his 80th birthday.

The White House disclosed on Friday that Trump underwent his annual medical and dental examination on Tuesday at Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington, amid growing scrutiny over his health and fitness for office.

In a three-page medical memo released by the White House, Trump’s physician, US Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, said the president demonstrated strong overall physical and mental capacity.

“President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function,” Barbabella stated, adding that the president was “fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”

However, the physician advised Trump to adopt healthier lifestyle measures, including dietary adjustments, increased physical activity, continued weight loss and low-dose aspirin therapy for cardiovascular prevention.

According to the report, Trump, who will turn 80 on June 14, stands at 6ft 3in tall and weighs 238 pounds (108 kilograms), about 14 pounds more than he weighed during his last full annual medical check-up in April last year.

Despite concerns surrounding his age, the report noted that Trump’s cardiac health reflected an estimated age roughly 14 years younger than his chronological age.

The president also reportedly scored a perfect “30 out of 30” in a cognitive assessment, a result Trump has repeatedly cited in public while contrasting himself with his Democratic predecessor, former President Joe Biden.

The medical report further addressed concerns over bruising frequently seen on Trump’s right hand, attributing it to “minor soft tissue irritation” caused by repeated handshaking and aspirin use.

The memo also referenced scarring on Trump’s right ear linked to the assassination attempt against him during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024, when a gunman opened fire, killing a supporter and slightly wounding the president.

Trump’s latest health evaluation comes amid public concerns after he was occasionally seen appearing drowsy during White House meetings and events. He had also previously been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects blood circulation in the veins and can lead to swelling in the legs.

Reacting shortly after Tuesday’s examination, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the medical exercise had gone “PERFECTLY,” while the White House later shared his photograph online with the caption, “PERFECT BILL OF HEALTH!”

The release of the report also sparked debate in the United States after the White House initially delayed making the medical details public, breaking with the traditional practice of releasing presidential health summaries shortly after such examinations.

Trump has long faced criticism over transparency regarding his health records, with questions also raised over the scheduling and description of his medical evaluations since returning to office.

Continue Reading

Health

Oyo confirms Lassa fever death in Ibadan, activates emergency response, traces contacts

Published

on

The Oyo State Government has confirmed a Lassa fever case at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where a 44-year-old woman died, prompting the activation of emergency response measures and immediate contact tracing to contain the disease.

The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying, “The patient died on April 11, 2026, while receiving treatment, while laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever was received on April 13.”

She added that the Ministry of Health had swiftly activated its emergency response system, including the establishment of an Incident Management System to coordinate response activities across the state.

According to her, “All identified contacts of the deceased are being closely monitored, while necessary measures have been taken to ensure a safe and dignified burial in line with public health protocols.”

Ajetunmobi urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain or difficulty breathing.

She stressed, “Early presentation at health facilities significantly improves the chances of survival.”

The commissioner explained that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected rodents.

“It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids, especially in healthcare settings where infection prevention measures are not strictly observed,” she said.

She advised residents to maintain strict environmental hygiene, including proper waste disposal, safe storage of food in rodent-proof containers and avoiding drying food items on bare ground or roadsides.

Ajetunmobi also urged households to seal holes and entry points to prevent rodent access, while emphasising regular handwashing and good personal hygiene.

Residents, she said, should report suspected cases through designated emergency lines, while health workers must strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the commissioner said surveillance had been intensified across the state, with all health facilities placed on alert.

“There is no cause for panic. The situation is under control, and Lassa fever is both preventable and treatable when detected early,” she assured.

Continue Reading

Health

Rep Oseni Backs Ajimobi Widow’s Cancer Fight, Vows More Health Projects

Published

on

The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, has pledged to support the breast cancer awareness programme of the ABC Foundation founded by former Oyo First Lady, Dr. Florence Ajimobi.

Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the commitment on Thursday in Ibadan at the flag-off of Pink Month 2025, an initiative of the foundation.

Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker described the campaign as a “lifesaving mission” given the rising burden of breast cancer in Nigeria, with over 28,000 new cases and thousands of deaths reported annually.

The APC chieftain said the free screening of 1,000 women planned by the foundation was timely, stressing that early detection remained the strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.

Hon. Aderemi Oseni exchanging pleasantries with former Oyo State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, at the event.

“Health is life. Only this June, I moved a motion at the National Assembly which led to the Federal Government subsidising dialysis treatment nationwide. Today, dialysis is either free or heavily discounted in federal health facilities,” Oseni said.

He listed his personal interventions to include funding hospital bills of indigent patients, construction of hospitals in Ido and Ibarapa East, establishment of primary health centres, and organisation of medical outreaches. He also disclosed plans to deploy mobile clinics to rural areas.

Commending Mrs. Ajimobi for sustaining her late husband’s legacy through humanitarian service, Oseni assured of partnership with the foundation, saying women’s wellbeing and empowerment remained central to his vision for Oyo State.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ajimobi said the foundation had offered medical care to over 85,000 patients and conducted more than 100,000 investigations since its inception. She added that the campaign was not just corporate social responsibility but “a moral duty and sacred trust.”

The former first lady, who lost her daughter Abisola to breast cancer earlier this year, said the experience had strengthened her resolve to save other families from such tragedy. She appealed to women to take advantage of the free screening and called on partners and development agencies to support the fight.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Entertainment

Advertisement

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Advertisement

Trending