Ondo State indigenes in the diaspora have expressed their interest in collaborating with the state to improve secondary health facilities.
The individuals include Dr Ranti Aladesanmi, a US-based physician trained at Harvard; Mrs Shade Aladesanmi, a US-based education consultant; and Mr Rotimi Aladesanmi, a Lagos-based lawyer.
They spoke during a meeting with board members of the State Hospitals Management Board (HMB) in Akure on Monday.
Board Chairman of the HMB, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, lauded their gesture, noting that the state Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, is passionate about the health of the state’s citizens.
While commending the Governor for establishing the board with the mandate of elevating the quality of healthcare in secondary facilities, he noted that 80 percent of healthcare provision for residents is handled by secondary facilities and called for support in improving the hospitals.
Fasoranti stressed the importance of collaboration with the group, especially in the areas of hospital equipment donations, personnel training, and resource contributions that would help advance the system.
According to him, “The board believes that involving those in the diaspora will support government initiatives. My goal is for the HMB to collaborate with anyone in the world to bring improvement to our hospitals.
“We want you to collaborate with us in any area you deem necessary, such as the provision of medications, solar power supply, structures, and renovations, among others. We would like to have many donor agencies that can facilitate exchange programmes in the future.”
A board member, Dr Taiwo Adefurin, noted that the government has implemented measures to reduce the mass exodus of professionals from the state and called for support for the hospitals.
Another board member, Dr Rotimi Wilson, while commending the board’s leadership, urged collaboration in the area of personnel and called on the federal government to encourage young health professionals in the country.
The Director of Clinical Services at the HMB, Dr Micheal Iwaola, while welcoming the team, assured them of support, stating, “Anything that will increase available resources for the people, we will key into it.”
He called for more investment in secondary facilities by the federal government, stressing the need for improved power supply, which he described as critical in hospitals.
He urged stakeholders to play their roles effectively to create a better Nigeria, emphasising the need for continuous education of residents to enhance health for all.
“Family planning education and commodities should be prioritised in Nigeria. Family planning should not be solely for women. We must learn to manage our population to avoid overstretching our hospitals. We must leverage our health to bring economic prosperity to our people,” he urged.
In response, Dr Ranti Aladesanmi called on everyone to embrace regular hand washing, ensure the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), maintain environmental cleanliness in hospitals, manage hospital waste properly, and ensure accurate data collection. He assured the board of collaboration in data collection, personnel training, and equipment supply.
Mrs Aladesanmi, an advocate for holistic education, stressed the need for personnel training in hospitals.
On his part, Rotimi Aladesanmi assured the group that he would facilitate the supply of medical equipment to the state.
