Date Published: 05/13/09

Mimiko flags off free hospitals for pregnant women and children

Olusegun Mimiko

The Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko on Wednesday commenced the implementation of his blue print on health care facilities with the groundbreaking ceremony of the first in the series of Mother and Child hospitals in Akure, the State capital. The hospitals would cater exclusively for pregnant mothers and children 5 years and below free of charge.

Dr. Mimiko in performing the foundation laying of the first satellite Mother and Child Hospital situated at Oke-Aro area of Akure disclosed that the event was in partial fulfillment of the promises “we made to the people of this State during our electioneering campaign that we shall ensure affordable and qualitative health care delivery for all citizens of the state”.

He further disclosed that the reason for designing this model of hospital was to create an annex to the Akure Specialist Hospital; “thus alleviating the stress and pain experienced by our mothers and children in their efforts to get medical attention.”

While stressing that the health and other sectors require urgent recalibration if they must respond to the expectations of their critical stakeholders, Mimiko stated that it is important to ensure that health facilities are adequate and of optimal quality, operated by the right caliber of medical personnel.

The Governor regretted the parlous state of the health care facilities in the State and the attendant long queues and discomforting waiting times at both the Children and Maternity Sections.

His words: “Indeed, the free health service is fast becoming a mirage as inaccessibility to prompt medical attention is now a perennial problem. Consequently, Our Administration has decided to develop new medical infrastures in a number of locations all over the State beginning from Akure, to bring health care to the doorsteps of the people and also significantly reduce the agony of long queues and frustrating waiting time. The new Mother and Child hospitals are, therefore, sited in places which will make them accessible at all times.”

 Dr. Mimiko, a medical doctor, expressed the determination of this administration to ensure equitable, qualitative and affordable health care for all citizens and also to provide an efficient and stress – free health service that exempt under-5 and pregnant women from any form of payment.

“Government, he stressed, “will also enhance the existing programmes of free and mass surgery and ensure that adequate health personnel are employed and deployed to all our health facilities in urban and rural communities. Our desire is to create conducive working condition and environment to attract and retain specialists in all areas of medical practice.

“In all, this administration is committed to executing a health care reform programme that will strengthen health care in terms of infrastructure, personnel, drug procurement and distribution, diagnostics, blood transfusion, dental care services, an efficient rapid response and emergency system.”