The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is determined to leave a legacy of quality healthcare delivery through Universal Health Coverage, which expands the net for those to be captured under the Health Insurance Programme.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed said this on Saturday at the commissioning of the 80-bed multi-purpose hospital in Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, funded by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.
The commissioning is one of the two legs of the 2023 Oro Day Ceremony of the Oro community, currently underway where N500M Development Fund is being launched.
He earlier commissioned another 40-bed multi-purpose hospital in Igbaja in the same local government.
The first hospital also funded by SDGs was commissioned last year in Eiyenkorin, Asa local government area of the state is of 100 beds also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities
The Minister said that the hospitals being commissioned is the third of such facilities to be commissioned by the SDGs office in Kwara State, which aim at reducing maternal death, infant and neonatal deaths.
“We just commissioned a forty-bed primary health care centre in Igbaja, Kwara State equally constructed and equipped by the SDGs Office.
“The 80-bed being commissioned is equally equipped to promote the health of mothers and children. It has a Thearter, Incubators, Ventilators, Phototherapy Machines, Patient Monitor, Children’s Beds, Examination beds, 100kva generator, Furnished and lit with solar street lights
“This development is in line with PMB’s administration commitment to providing health facilities to cater for the needs for Nigerians.
“I am told that the SDGs Office commissioned over 35 of the 100-bed hospitals spread across the country. It also commissioned 20 80-bed hospitals and numerous primary health centers across the country.
“Let me commend the SDGs Office for the giant strides it has recorded in the provision of social services across the country particularly in remote places.
“The PMB administration is determined to leave a legacy of quality health care delivery through the Universal Health Coverage, which expands the net for those to be captured under the Health Insurance Program.”he said
The minister also said that Basic Health Care Provision Fund is being operationalised to provide health care to poor and indigent Nigerians,stressing that ,”We will ensure availability of basic minimum package of health services. This will ensure that at least 100,000,000 Nigerians will have health insurance coverage through public and private sources.”
He added that the Federal Government is partnering with the AFREXIM Bank to host the regional centre for health excellence in Abuja and that the groundbreaking has been done and the super hospital will be managed by the King’s College Hospital, London.
He said that the administration’s response to health emergencies has remained unprecedented,” particularly how we were able to contain the COVID 19 pandemic in the country.”
“Worthy of note is that under this administration, Nigeria has been certified Wild Polio Free.”
He also said”We thank Mr. President for his numerous support to Kwara State particularly this community. Recall that some weeks ago, we were here to perform the groundbreaking for the construction of a power transmission sub-station.
“The network of roads constructed in Oro is also a testament of Mr. President footprints in this community.
“I will urge you to continue to support the government to succeed and also to take advantage of the health facility to promote the health and well-being of mothers and children.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),Princess Adejoke Adefulure lauded the gesture of the Federal Government efforts to reduce infant mortality in the country through the provision of health care delivery services to the members of the public.
She said that, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has invested a lot on the health care delivery in the country adding that, the gesture has positioned the lives of Nigerians on the quality health care deliver
In his remark,the National President of Oro Progressives Union Professor Bode Bojuwoye commended the Minister, Alh Lai Mohammed for numerous projects and employments he facilitated to the community, describing him as a good Ambassador.
He however requested that 50%of the recruitment at the hospital should be reserved for the people and residents of Oro community and its environ.