The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is determined to leave a legacy of quality healthcare through “Universal Health Coverage.
According to him, this will expand the net for those to be captured under the Health Insurance Program.”
Mohammed stated this on Saturday at the commissioning of the 80-bed multi-purpose hospital in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, funded by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Princess Adejoke Adefulure.
Information Nigeria reports that the commissioning is one of the two legs of the 2023 Oro Day Ceremony of the Oro community, currently underway where N500 million Development Fund is being launched.
He earlier commissioned a 40-bed multi-purpose hospital in Igbaja in the same local government.
The first hospital also funded by SDG’s office was commissioned last year in Eiyenkorin, Asa LGA of the State, which was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
According to the minister, the hospital being commissioned is the third of such facilities to be commissioned by the SDG’s office in Kwara State, which aims at reducing maternal death, infant and neonatal deaths.
“We just commissioned a forty-bed primary health care centre in Igbaja, Kwara State equally constructed and equipped by the SDGs Office.
“The 80-bed being commissioned is equally equipped to promote the health of mothers and children. It has a Thearter, Incubators, Ventilators, Phototherapy Machines, Patient Monitor, Children’s Beds, Examination beds, 100kva generator, Furnished and lit with solar street lights
“This development is in line with PMB’s administration commitment to providing health facilities to cater for the needs for Nigerians.
“I am told that the SDGs Office commissioned over 35 of the 100-bed hospitals spread across the country. It also commissioned 20 80-bed hospitals and numerous primary health centers across the country.
“Let me commend the SDGs Office for the giant strides it has recorded in the provision of social services across the country particularly in remote places.
“The PMB administration is determined to leave a legacy of quality health care delivery through the Universal Health Coverage, which expands the net for those to be captured under the Health Insurance Program,’ Mohammed said
Mohammed also said that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund is being operationalised to provide health care to poor and indigent Nigerians, stressing that, “We will ensure availability of basic minimum package of health services. This will ensure that at least 100,000,000 Nigerians will have health insurance coverage through public and private sources.”
According to him, the Federal Government is partnering with the African Export-Import (AFREXIM) Bank to host the regional centre for health excellence in Abuja and that the hospital will be managed by the King’s College Hospital, London.
He added that the administration’s response to health emergencies has remained unprecedented, “particularly how we were able to contain the COVID 19 pandemic in the country.
“Worthy of note is that under this administration, Nigeria has been certified Wild Polio Free.”
“We thank Mr. President for his numerous support to Kwara State particularly this community. Recall that some weeks ago, we were here to perform the groundbreaking for the construction of a power transmission sub-station.
“The network of roads constructed in Oro is also a testament of Mr. President footprints in this community.
“I will urge you to continue to support the government to succeed and also to take advantage of the health facility to promote the health and well-being of mothers and children.”