SGS Visit to Reference Hospital Okene: Commendations, Call For Sustainability
Abigail Ayindero-Oyenibi, Okene
Kogi State Government says it has put necessary measures in place to ensure the sustainability of the Reference Hospital Okene.
State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza stated this while addressing Secretaries to the Governments of APC controlled states who were in Kogi State for their quarterly meeting and paid a visit to the Reference Hospital on facility tour.
Dr. Abdulazeez stated that fund has been approved and is being provided to run the hospital maximally, saying government entered an extended warranty agreement for the maintenance of the world class medical equipment.
He also explained that the State Health Insurance Scheme has been strengthened to save people out of pocket expenses and to enable them to access affordable healthcare.
The Commissioner noted that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was, in the spirit of consolidation, sustaining the arrangements put in place by the immediate past administration to make the hospital a Teaching Hospital and sustain its status of excellence.
In his remark, the Chief Medical Director/CEO, of the Reference Hospital Okene, Prof Solomon Avidime, said the 250-bedded hospital has attended to over 8000 patients since inauguration.
According to him, government has been giving the facility the needed attention and support to ensure sustainability of its operations, while the staff have been offering professional services.
Reacting after visiting some departments of the hospital, the Secretaries to the Governments of APC controlled states urged the people of Kogi State to patronize the Reference Hospital Okene for their health needs.
The SGS, Jigawa state, Bala Ibrahim, expressed delight at the state-of-the-art equipment available at the hospital and the professionalism displayed by the staff, calling for sustenance of the excellent services being rendered.
Representative of the SGS from Borno State and
Technical Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum, Dr. Tahiru Shettima, noted that the hospital was capable of ending medical tourism in view of the modern machines that can treat critical ailments for which many have traveled overseas seeking solutions.
On her part, the SGS from Ebonyi State, Prof Grace Umezuruike commended the immediate past Governor, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, for leaving behind a worthy legacy for generations yet unborn, describing him as a blessing to the people of Kogi State.
The SGS, Katsina state, Abdullahi Garba Paskari prayed God to grant the state government wisdom and the resources to maintain the hospital in view of the massive equipment to carry out its services.
Responding, the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Dr Folashade Ayoade, assured the SGS that government will continue to work towards attaining excellence in all sectors for the development of the state and overall benefit of the people.