From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, yesterday, commended Dr. Leemon Ikpea for establishing a 62-bed ultramodern medical centre in Ewatto.
The medical centre, located at Idumu-Iyase, Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state was established to improve access to quality healthcare services for residents of the community and neighbouring areas.
Okpebholo, who spoke at the inauguration of the facility, said the investment demonstrated the importance of private sector participation in strengthening healthcare delivery.
He added that government alone could not meet the healthcare needs of the population.
He commended Ikpea for the initiative and urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate his example by investing in projects that would improve the welfare of residents.
The governor also charged the management of the medical centre and its healthcare professionals to maintain high standards of patient care.
He urged the people of Ewatto to protect the facility and make proper use of it, describing it as a valuable asset that should be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations.
“Let me also appreciate President Bola Tinubu for supporting our efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.
“My administration has recruited over 2,000 Healthcare workers to boost our workforce, and upgrade over 65 primary healthcare centres across the three Senatorial districts of the state.
“Government alone cannot do it, we need private-sector partners and other individuals to complement public sector investments.
“Ikpea has set a good record, and I encourage other well-meaning individuals and organizations to emulate him.
“I charge the management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the medical professionals who will serve here to uphold the highest standards of patient care.
“To the people of Ewatto, protect this facility and make good use of it. Let it become a place of hope and healing”, Okpebholo counselled.
The governor, however, assured the people that his administration would mobilise the contractor back to site to complete the ongoing construction of the Ewatto-Udo road now that the dry season is fast approaching.
Similarly, Prof. Pate commended Ikpea, the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation and his family for investing in healthcare infrastructure to serve the people of Ewatto and surrounding communities.
Pate described the project as a source of pride for the community and Edo as a whole, noting that access to quality healthcare was essential to the development of any society.
He said a healthy population was better positioned to contribute to economic growth, adding that farmers, teachers, children and other members of society benefited when healthcare services were accessible and effective.
The minister called on wealthy Nigerians and private sector organisations to partner with the Federal and state governments to expand healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery across the country.
He said such partnerships would complement public sector investments and support efforts to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.
In his remarks, Ikpea, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALI), said the 62-bed medical centre was equipped with modern facilities to provide healthcare services to the people.
He urged community leaders, residents and security agencies to take collective responsibility for protecting the hospital, its equipment and buildings against damage and vandalism.
Ikpea said the facility belonged to the community and should be treated as a collective asset, stressing that its protection would ensure its continued availability for healthcare delivery.
He also called on residents to support government efforts to improve healthcare services, expressing the hope that the medical centre would make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of the people.
The commissioning of the facility underscores the role of private investment and philanthropy in complementing government efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Edo.
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