Makinde Acts Like Tanzanian President, Suddenly Shows Up To Inspect State Hospital, Promises Upgrade
The Oasis Reporters
July 31, 2019
Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde (second right); deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola (second left); Head of Service, Mrs Ololade Agboola (right) and Dr. Femi Adesanya, Chief Consultant, Ring-Road State Hospital, Ibadan during the governor’s inspection and visit to the hospital.
PHOTO: Oyo State Government
Acting up a bit like Tanzanian President, John Joseph Magufuli who suddenly showed up at the General Hospital in the state capital unannounced and unexpected, saw the derelict condition of hospital equipment, lack of beds for patients, who equally shuttle to private diagnostic centres outside the hospital, the president immediately fired the Chief Medical Director, upgraded the Deputy, but with a threat that if the X-ray and other decrepit equipment were not fixed and made functional in three months more heads would roll, it took less than three weeks for all equipment to roar back to life and put back to use.
None of the State House Reporters that accompanied Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde knew whether he had understudied the popular president in the East African country, but everyone agreed that the governor had the right and studied mien, albeit with the diplomatic touch and the zeal to set things right.
Governor Makinde visited Adeoyo Hospital, the flagship hospital belonging to Oyo State, and promised to make it a medical tourism destination.
He has pledged to upgrade facilities at the Adeoyo General Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, in keeping with his plans for the hospital.
The governor also promised to ensure that the Radiology Unit of the Hospital is completed and commissioned for use within his first 100 days in office.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor made the promises during an on-the-spot assessment of the medical facility.
The governor also asked the management and staff of the hospital to join hands with the government in restoring the glory of the hospital.
He equally pledged to reposition the hospital and take the facility to enviable heights.
Governor Makinde said: “If we do the right thing in this hospital, it can become the medical tourist destination for the country. If we perform very well, we will let the whole world know what we are doing here, so I want you to work with us on the journey to reposition this hospital to have its glory back. I know it is possible and doable”.
What Governor Makinde met on ground during the visit was depressing, and it evidently showed in his unsmiling demeanor. He noticed a huge gap between what he expected to meet in the hospital and what he saw adding, however, that the problem is not about the capacity of the staff but the unavailability of equipment.
He said: “Health is one of the pillars that this administration wants to focus on and we believe that if we have a healthy population, we will have more productivity.”
Governor Makinde stated further that the government will support the hospital in terms of logistics, mobilisation, and security.
“We will come back to you with the specific agenda on how to develop this hospital and make it an institution that can attract patients from all over the country apart from taking care of our immediate environment.”
In his remarks, the Chief Consultant of the hospital, Dr. Femi Adesanya, appreciated the governor and his entourage for the visit, promising to support the government’s vision to turn around the fortunes of the hospital and improve the health sector
Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde (second right); deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola (second left); Head of Service, Mrs Ololade Agboola (right) and Dr. Femi Adesanya, Chief Consultant, Ring-Road State Hospital, Ibadan during the governor’s inspection and visit to the hospital.
PHOTO: Oyo State Government
