… Says Administration Has Refurbished 60 PHCs In The State.
…Also Commissionings Creche And Food Court At Secretariat Complex.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, commissioned the Newly Rebuilt and Expanded 250-Bed Stella Obasanjo Hospital, which will serve as a health hub and provide healthcare services across various strata of the health ecosystem in the State. The Governor also commissioned the Creche and Food Court situated at the Edo State Civil Service Secretariat complex, in Benin City.
In his remarks, during the commissioning of the remodeled hospital, Obaseki stated that healthcare goes beyond having hospitals and facilities but also includes human capital development.
According to the Governor, “We developed a health improvement plan for Edo during Covid-19 with the goal of becoming a healthcare hub. Covid-19 helped us mobilize over 5,000 doctors to help us respond to the pandemic, but what was missing was a plan to tie our health facilities together.”
“Healthcare is not just about hospitals or facilities; it is also about human capital, to help people. It is expensive, but we must find a way to finance it. We redesigned our healthcare program through our health improvement scheme.
“The primary healthcare system is the first contact with our citizens, and we set up the Primary Healthcare Agency. Today, we have the most viable primary healthcare system in Nigeria. We have refurbished 60 primary healthcare centers, and our goal is to ensure that each ward in the state has one.”
He added: “This is not just about infrastructure; it is about sharing human values of compassion, care, and hope; that is what this facility is all about.”
On his part, the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who officially commissioned the hospital, commended the Governor for the project, describing him as a builder and reformer.
Obasanjo said: “I want to thank you for remembering my late wife, Stella Obasanjo. I was here before, and coming here now, what I see is wonderful. You are not only a builder but also a reformer who has positively impacted the lives of your people.
“When this hospital was established 17 years ago, it was to keep the memory of my late wife. By honoring her, you are also honoring me.”
Also speaking at the event was the former Nigerian First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who described the Governor as a visionary leader. According to her, “The newly rebuilt Stella Obasanjo Hospital is a testament to the power of a visionary leader and a commitment to building a strong, healthy state and nation.”
“It will serve as a reference center, bridging the gap between primary healthcare and specialized healthcare, and ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their background, will receive the care they need.”
In the same vein, during the commissioning of the Creche and Food Court at the Edo State Civil Service Secretariat complex, Obaseki observed that the Creche and Food Court will ensure increased and enhanced productivity of the State’s workforce.
He said: “The Creche and the Food Court are very dear to us. It is about people having the rest of mind, particularly our women; because there’s so much pressure on them. They will have to take care of the home and children before coming to work. So it is important that if you want to improve the efficiency and commitment of your workforce, you need to take care of them.
“This is not a luxury. It is almost a necessity now for our workforce. I hope that the managers of the civil service will make sure that competent people are hired; knowledgeable people who understand how to give care to children are the ones who are put here to manage this facility, so that the children can be safe, secure and healthy.”
“In terms of the Food Court, if you close late from work or not, you need to eat. You don’t have to go out to buy what you need. You can do it here. That is why the food court is important. All these will increase and enhance the productivity of our workforce.”
The former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, who commissioned the Creche and Food Court, commended the Governor for his thoughtfulness towards women in the Service and the State at large.
“The Creche and Food Court I am officially commissioning today are a clear demonstration of this administration’s determination to provide infrastructural development that have direct impact and benefit to the people of Edo State.
“Your Excellency, your have talked so much about the well-being of women, nursing mothers, who while at work, will need care givers to look after their kids and give them attention. The Creche will further provide a safe nurturing environment for those children, particularly those whose parents are in the public service of Edo State,” she said.
Also present at the occasion were: Edo State First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; First Executive Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun; Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; Former First Lady of Cross River State, Obioma Imoke; Members of Edo Executive Council, top government officials, amongst others.
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