By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu said that the state government is committed to the welfare and security of the people by providing quality healthcare services to the people.
The deputy governor who was represented by the immediate past Chairperson, Etsako East Council, Mrs. Benedicta Ebuehi stated this during the flagg off of the 2nd Free Medical Outreach organized by the College of Medical Sciences of Edo State University Uzairue in collaboration with the Central Hospital Auchi.
She noted that the Edo State University has been at the forefront of specialist healthcare and has contributed immensely to the healthcare need of Edo North people.
While taking notes of the challenges being faced by the Edo state university, said government would soon attend to them.
“The deputy governor is our son and a gentle son that doesn’t joke with any matter of his people, and I believe once he becomes aware of the challenges, he will step up action and take it to the governor where they can speedily addressed.”
She said healthcare is a major agenda of Edo State government especially Edo North people because it is the deputy governor’s constituency.
She assured that the deputy governor is very proud of what is happening today adding that what is important to him is the welfare of his people. “When his people are healthy, happy and accomplished, then, he can say the deputy governor is accomplished.”
She however promised to convey to the government all the challenges raised at the event and assured that the needful will be done.
The deputy governor representative used the opportunity to take a tour of the Auchi Central Hospital and commissioned some projects executed by the Edo University, Uzairue such as the newly renovated and extension mortuary and the Histopathology Laboratory Complex.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor said that the College of Medical Sciences in its 4 years of existence has achieved great feats in many areas, adding that the 2nd free medical outreach of the College of Medical Sciences is part of the university’s Corporate Social Responsibility to give back to the society and communities in Edo state.
This includes free, quality and accessible medical health care and also to create awareness for the Central Hospital Auchi as a Teaching facility for Edo state university Uzairue Medical College.
The VC further added that the university has a Teaching Hospital project that is nearing completed but due to the immediate need to meet up with training of students, the university entered into an agreement to use the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and Central Hospital as Teaching facilities until her Teaching Hospital is ready for use.
Prof. Aluyor further stated that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria during the visit for accreditation has given approval to the Medical students who are in their 500 level to sit for the MBBS part 2 exams in the field of Pharmacology and Pathology.
He said haven observed the deficiencies, the Council advised that the university moved her medical students from Edo Special Hospital Benin City to Central Hospital Auchi on the ground that patients load at the Central Hospital Auchi can be improved and that investment could be made to improve the facilities at the hospital.
The Vice Chancellor while thanking the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for the continuous support to the university, used the opportunity to solicit government’s speedy completion of the ongoing Teaching Hospital project in the university.
Appreciating the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Makanjuola, Etsako Club 81 and Dako Foundation for their support towards the free Medical outreach, called on all sons and daughters of Edo North to help create awareness for the Central Hospital Auchi, and to complement the university’s efforts by contributing toward the upgrade of the Central Hospital Auchi.
Welcoming guests at the occasion, the Provost College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Sylvester Idogun said that health they say is wealth saying if one is healthy that is only condition he can go about other activities.
“Education is very important because if you educate a nation, community, you have set the community on the part of progress, Edo state university is educating the people and also delivery healthcare services to the people.”
Speaking to newsmen, Founder Dako Foundation for Rural Health Care and Education, Dr. Dako Mamudu said that the launching of the Free Medical Outreach will bring in over a hundred experts in healthcare delivery which will have a positive impact in the health of the people especially in Edo north.
According to him, the target is good healthcare to the people both primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare delivery.
He advised the people to collaborate with the foundation by contributing physically, financially, mentally and otherwise.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Mrs Imoisili Udoka expressed gratitude regarding the partnership with the Edo State University, Uzairue.
She described it as a golden opportunity that would not be missed.
She, however, expressed optimism that some of the challenges facing the hospital that need to be upgraded will be attended to in no distant time.