BENIN CITY: Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the 270-bed Stella Obasanjo Hospital would be completed and be operational before the end of his tenure in office.
He disclosed this in Benin during the media tour of the facilities in the hospital.
The Edo State governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Stanley Ehiahinmwian, said the hospital which is 90 percent completed is equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of the healthcare seekers within and outside the state.
“We will commission this hospital next month, that is October and before the governor leaves the office, we are going to start using this hospital.
“You have gone round the place and I am sure you have seen that it is ready for use but it is just that there is few things that we need to fix. We can even start operation with it if we so desire”, Obaseki said.
Obaseki reiterated that the hospital that is well equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities has adequate manpower to man the equipment.
“The issue of manpower will be taken care of. We have a group we are partnering with. I am sure you have heard of Cedar Crest in Abuja , we are partnering with them.
“So, the issues of manpower will be adequately taken care of, exposure to international best practices, standards, everything has been adequately taken care of”, Obaseki added.
He said the hospital is for everybody and that one of the things that the administration has put in place, is Edo Insurance Commission to give Edo people access to healthcare.
According to him “Edo Insurance Commission is to give Edo people access to healthcare, where you don’t have to spend out of your pocket. As long as you are registered there, you have access to this place.
“For those who didn’t register, if you are a resident of Edo state, and have your Resident Insurance Number, RIN, you are qualify to access the health facilities with it. Just as the way you have your NIN for Nigeria, we also registered people here.
“As long as you are resident here. As someone who lives in Edo state because this place was built with tax payers money of Edo people, we expect that we prioritize the health needs of residents in Edo state.
On the part of the Project Engineer, Tanit Medical Engineering, Prince Nwuke, said the hospital has major features that are not found in most public hospitals.