Hakeem Gbadamosi, Akure
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has called for collaboration of individuals, private organisations, and non-governmental organisations to collaborate with the state government to develop the healthcare sector in the state for a better humanity.
Akeredolu made this appeal during the inauguration of a 50-bed Deborah Multi-Specialist Hospital and Diagnostics Centre, built by the Chairman, Mydas Hotels and Resorts, Prince Rotimi Ibidapo and wife,Chief Mrs Mulikat Ibidapo, in Oba Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stressed that government alone could not develop the health sector without the support of well meaning indigenes and private organizations, saying there is need for stakeholders in the state to join hands with the government in providing healthcare services to the people of the state.
He expressed the state government’s readiness to strengthen the health sector and improve the facilities at the various health care centres in all the 18 local government areas of the state.
He said it is a thing of joy to see public spirited individuals investing in this critical sector and thereby creating jobs for the teeming youths
“In putting together such a magnificent edifice and for investing their resources in the health sector of the state, I believe that, it is an expression of confidence and appreciation of our commitment and sacrifices for improving the health of our people in the State”
“Let me therefore appreciate and congratulate the owners of this health facility, Prince Ibidapo and his wife, Chief ( Mrs ) Remilekun Mulikat Ibidapo for putting together such a magnificent edifice and for investing their resources in the health sector of the state.
He however, said the state government would continue to give priortiy to the health sector and said “it is with this regards that this government has taken a bold steps across a healthy system through the provision of functional health structure ,strengthening of institutions, training of highly skilled professionals, practitioners and support staff.
“We have taken bold steps across all the building blocks of the health system through the provision of functional health infrastructures, strengthening of Institutions for training of highly skilled professionals/practitioners and support staff, provision of conducive working environment and construction of world class facilities for promotion of qualitative healthcare services” .
“Specific examples are the ongoing projects in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complexes at Ondo and Akure, the Mother-and-Child Hospital in Akure which has been upgraded and given approval to offer full range of secondary health care services”
He said the state Medical school has just graduated 34 Medical doctors,adding that the government Is operating open door policy to collaborate with willing and genuine investors.
The Chairman of the occasion, the former Director, Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC), Prof Abdusalami Nasidi, said medical system has come a long way, when men were cared for out of little knowledge with various discovery that has come up through the use of DNA.
The director who was represented by Prof Simidele Odimayo, commended Ibidapo for the establishment of the hospital, saying the gesture is borne out of love for mankind and noted that the hospital is going to impact in human development and also creating economic capacity stimulant
Earlier,the CEO of the hospital, Chief Mrs Mulikat Ibidapo, who said the hospital started in 2016, described the hospital as a God approved project of a triangular passion for her profession and a dream come through .
She said it is her desire to make an effective contribution to the health care system in the country ,adding that it is also one of the way to appreciate her mother for her motherly role which is why the hospital was named after her and her late father who was the first to build a private hospital in her hometown.
She appreciated the support and encouragement of her husband to make her vision come to reality.
