FG's 80-bed Mother & Child Specialist Hospital Ogbomoso: Before we crucify UCH's CMD

FG’s 80-bed Mother & Child Specialist Hospital Ogbomoso: Before we crucify UCH’s CMD

Ben GEORGE

Anger flared last week when it was reported that the 80-bed Mother & Child Specialist Hospital built by the federal government at Pakiotan, Ogbomoso, was robbed of valuables and vandalized by unknown hoodlums.

The hospital commissioned in May 2023 had remained occupied since then even though it was completed and fully dotted with state-of-the-art equipment and medical facilities.

The inauspicious abandonment of the hospital was the obvious reason the infraction was successfully committed. And it had been revealed that wasn’t the first time.

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However, many pointed accusing fingers at the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, as the culprit behind the non-use of the hospital with even a suggestion that it was borne out of “beef” for the community.

But critically looking at the issue, the question arises, should the CMD of UCH be positioned as the fall guy? True, the new medical facility is affiliated to UCH but it’s still an establishment belonging to the federal government under the ministry of health. Thus, it is that ministry that ought to populate the affiliate hospital with staff either by drafting of staff from existing facilities or via new recruitment. It is not the duty of UCH management to unilaterally staff the new hospital, that indeed will be the last thing on their wish-list in the face of monumental challenges confronting them like the issue of epileptic electricity supply.

In the light of this, it behoves Ogbomoso high ups to precipitate the move to staff the hospital, by pressing the necessary buttons and making vital contacts. The ministry of health officials might altogether have forgotten they put up such hospital in Ogbomoso thus our lawmakers in Abuja, federal government appointees, traditional rulers and other people of influence need to bear down on the authorities regarding the staffing of the facility. Chief Sunday Dare facilitated the hospital when he was a minister under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Agbaakin who is equally strongly and favourably placed in the present dispensation should not sit idle, he needs to get the work completed. “Alaseyori ni a n ki, a ki nki alaseti,” that is a fact. Since this particular one requires further push he should take the lead working together with others.

Getting this healthcare facility to a functional state will bolster the vision of transforming Ogbomoso into a hub of medical tourism. Its expected specialized advanced medical care by experts and skilled physicians will be a great enhancement, complementing the two teaching hospitals and other government and private healthcare facilities already on ground. That is not to mention the boost in employment opportunities and economy that will arise.

Let’s work in conjunction with UCH to get the specialist hospital come to life. “More politics” need to be done.