By Friday Omosola
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday, inaugurated the construction of an 80-bed multipurpose medical facility at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti. This project is part of the activities marking the second anniversary of his administration.
During the inauguration, Oyebanji highlighted the positive impact of continuity in governance, which he believes has been instrumental in driving development under his leadership.
He emphasised that if this trend had been sustained since 1999, the state would have witnessed faster growth across various sectors.
The governor further announced that the project is slated for completion within one year. He stressed his administration’s commitment to investing heavily in the health sector, recognizing that a healthy population is key to national development.
Oyebanji also noted that the seamless transition from former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration has enabled his government to effectively deliver democratic dividends to the people of Ekiti State.
“We have an economic roadmap from 2021 to 2030 to serve as a guide to whoever ading Ekiti State. Whoever you bring as a governor will perform, except such a person is not ready to work. We were able to do all these projects effortlessly because of the continuity of government and being part and parcel of a future-thinking government. What you are witnessing is positive gains of continuity of government.
“Whichever projects I commissioned are for Ekiti and they were financed through Ekiti’s money. Only a stupid government will abandon the project of its predecessors. I am here to serve you, not myself. If we have continued on this track since 1999, we would have gone beyond this level that we are”, the governor said.
Oyebanji described the hospital project as a groundbreaking initiative that will revolutionize the tertiary health institution. He noted that the facility will play a pivotal role in securing full accreditation for several courses offered by the teaching hospital.
“This project is very significant because it will help in securing accreditation for more courses. You can’t underrate the importance of a healthy population to national growth, because health is wealth. There is no development anywhere you have a high number of sick people.
“EKSUTH has a special place in my heart. This is the only tertiary health institution that we have and where most of the people will come for safety during illness. We will continue to do our best to uplift the facilities here for quality health delivery”, Oyebanji stated.
Oyebanji announced that his administration is currently renovating nine out of the 22 secondary health facilities in the state, with plans to equip them with the necessary machines and trained personnel upon completion.
The governor urged women to utilize the Oncology Centre at EKSUTH, noting that the costly Mammogram Machine installed by the government could become ineffective if not properly utilized for the early detection of breast cancer.
Highlighting the importance of the completed facility, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Oyebanji Filani, stated that it will enhance the government’s image as genuinely dedicated to the welfare and well-being of its citizens.
Filani also noted that the recent National Demographic Health Survey indicates that Ekiti has made remarkable progress in health indices over the past four years.
Additionally, EKSUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Kayode Olabanji, underscored that the medical facility will significantly improve healthcare delivery to the public and enhance accreditation efforts, as well-structured facilities play a critical role in this process.
Olabanji expressed his enthusiasm for the governor’s commitment to advancing the medical facility, highlighting the increased monthly subventions that commenced in January 2024, as well as the approval for the training of resident doctors and upgrades to equipment in the tertiary institution.
“The project is going to be a legacy project. The facility will create more space for our staff and patients. It will give confidential and private treatment to our people and improve the quality of our services. It is timely and thoughtful”.
