Day Akala boosted healthcare delivery in Oyo

By Abraham Ojo
Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala,
Oyo State

Four months ago, the governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, paid an un- scheduled visit to Adeoyo Maternity Hospital Yemetu, Ibadan . This health institution has been in existence for over 80 years in the historic city of Ibadan . Indeed, it is reputed to be a major maternity centre and a cradle of modern-day medical practice in Nigeria akin to Lagos Island Maternity Hospital which had been aptly described as a “Baby Factory”. The fact is established that Adeoyo Maternity Hospital has produced eminent and distinguished people of substance since its inception. It used to be a cynosure of all eyes in the health sector to which the then Government in this part of the country was proud of, being its creation. History has it then that the hospital even used to be a referral one from other places and is even older than the renowned University College Hospital .

Given the above, it was therefore shocking to the governor to meet the hospital in a sorry state of dilapidation. On sighting the edifice, he expressed total dismay over the entire structure as well as the equipment. He lamented over the total neglect of the hospital and described the action as a great disservice to the down-trodden masses. It was disheartening to see that the facilities were as old as the buildings, in this era of state-of-the-art equipment in the health sector which adorn several health institutions. This, to the governor, was unacceptable and he took the bull by the horns to redress the ugly situation. The governor described the terrible state of the hospital as an eyesore which, instead of giving succour to the sick, could actually aggravate their health conditions. He subsequently promised to initiate moves to completely rehabilitate the hospital complex and equip it with modern facilities. In his words, “I solemnly promise that I am going to turn this place around, and make it a modern hospital complex of which every indigene of the state, especially those from Ibadan will be proud of, given the fact that the hospital is situated in the city”.

The pronouncement of the governor elicited doubts in some quarters, considering the magnitude of the repairs of the buildings and the cost of the modern medical equipment. At the hospital, even the Chief Consultant in-charge, Dr. Sina Adekanmbi while responding, told the governor and his entourage that his coming and promises were not new. Usually all governors, on assuming duty, would make it a point to visit the hospital, obviously because of its significance, and only made promises which were never fulfilled. He observed that these past leaders had made it a routine and political gimmick just to raise the hopes of the downtrodden masses who cannot afford medical treatment abroad, only for such hopes to be dashed, because such promises ended whenever they left the premises. However, to those close to the governor, he is known as a man of his words who match words with action. He is not known with frivolous promises without fulfilling same, therefore, when he made the pronouncement of rehabilitating the hospital, it was sure that it would be done.

It was therefore not surprising when the governor flagged off the complete renovation of the hospital complex which would be complemented with the purchase and eventual installation of the best hi-tech medical equipment. Speaking at the occasion, the consultant to the project, Engr. Femi Babalola disclosed that 14 contractors were selected after screening and following due process, and had been sufficiently mobilized financially to commence work. According to him, awarding the project to 14 different contractors was to expedite its completion on schedule as well as ensure that each segment or component of work to be done was handled by experts in that area. To him, this style of awarding the contract in Oyo State is an eloquent testimony of the governor’s determination to have the place rehabilitated, renovated and equipped in a record time. He said the job would be completed within four months in line with the wishes of the current administration.

This much was affirmed by the Commissioner for Health in Oyo State, Dr. Babalola Owolabi, who noted that the present administration places a high premium on healthcare delivery system and the flagging off of the project was a clear demonstration to give practical effect to this notion. The plan of the Alao-Akala administration is to upgrade medical institutions in all parts of the state and equally equip them with modern medical facilities. The Adeoyo Maternity Hospital when completed, is expected to deliver efficient, effective and qualitative healthcare service. The governor has always demonstrated through his action and appearance, his love for quality. Therefore anywhere he goes or any step he takes, this trait must be reflected in such moves. This is one of the reasons emphasis has been on qualitative healthcare delivery and the only effective way of achieving this goal is to upgrade the health institutions and provide best hi-tech medical equipment to all health institutions in the state. This flagging off is therefore the first step in the first phase of urban renewal of projects in the state.

It is instructive to note that the Otunba Alao-Akala administration had commenced the construction of LAUTECH Hospital annexes in Ogbomoso and Oyo towns, which he said would soon be inaugurated. The governor, while flagging off the renovation exercise, in his characteristic manner of appreciating and recognizing the contribution of relevant personnel, called out all doctors present at the occasion and had direct interaction with them on one-on-one basis. He said he did this because all medical personnel in the state were indispensable tools in the actualisation of his administration’s policy on health matters. According to the governor, no amount of money spent could fully give the desired result if the health personnel were not reckoned with. To this end, he assured them of adequate administrative and logistic support to enhance their performances. He therefore enjoined them to complement the government gesture as the expected accelerated progress in the health sector is a collaborative effort of not only the health personnel and the executive arm but also other stakeholders in the health sector.

Otunba Alao-Akala disclosed that the money for the completion of the whole project was available, urging the contractors to move at a jet speed as they would be paid in line with the contractual agreement. He however warned them against request for an upward review or variation as this would not be tolerated by his administration. The Governor reiterated his determination to put smile on the faces of the people in line with his pledge while taking the oath of office on 29 May, 2007. “To me, I believe promise is a debt, and since I publicly made a vow, I shall always fulfill my pledge to you”, he concluded. The import of this flagging off lies in the fact that Akala has proved to be a man of his words. He has proved to be a politician with a difference, that he is set to actualize all his electoral promises to the electorate. He has proved to cynics, skeptics and indeed all doubting Thomases that the Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, long abandoned, could be revisited, renovated and completely rehabilitated and equipped with modern and state-of-the-art health facilities. This, Akala himself had stated several times that “I am set to make a difference in the art of governance, and my achievements will speak for me. I don’t believe in too much talking but I believe in action”. And he is just doing that.

Ojo is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.