In a bid to cater for the health needs of people of Arugba Community in Edo, a General Medical Practitioner has began the construction of an hospital.
Dr Nosa Aigbe-Lebarty, founder of the facility known as Lebarty Medical hospital, said it would offer among other services, telemedicine and Air ambulance services when completed.
Aigbe-Lebarty, who is based in America, said this when he briefed newsmen shortly after the ground breaking of the hospital on Wednesday.
He said that inadequate medical equipment as well as medical tourism were a big challenge to health care delivery in Nigeria, hence his decision to invest in a first class hospital.
“If we have all the medical facilities we need in the country, medical tourism will be reduced.
“There is partnership with medical personnel abroad to allow for telemedicine at the hospital and there will also be a helipad at place for Air ambulance services.
“It is a project for everybody, the young, old, poor and rich, we have two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that are supporting the project to ensure that the poor can access services at the hospital.
“So, this is a way to give back to the society, it will provide employment for people in the host community, state and country in general,” he said.
Commending the gesture, Dr Patrick Okundia, a former Commissioner for Health in the state, said the health facility would compliment the state government’s health reforms.
Okundia said, “the health care system in the country is highly challenged, Nigerian doctors and nurses are migrating from the country on a daily basis.
“In the midst of this, our son has come home to invest in the health sector, this is a bold step that need to be encouraged and supported.”
Meanwhile, Mr Jeffrey Omosomwan, traditional ruler of Arugba community, expressed joy that the hospital was sited in the community.
“We are happy about this project as we are here to witness the ground breaking of the hospital and this will bring development to our community,” Omosomwan said.