By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The Edo State deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has launched a three-day free medical outreach for the Edo State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Auchi.
The Outreach was a part of activities by the Teaching Hospital to formally takeover the Auchi General Hospital; in a bid to bring quality healthcare closer and more accessible to the people of Edo North in particular; and the State in General, it was said.
Speaking during the event, the Deputy Governor represented by Mrs. Josephine Eshemohai Ozor of the Ministry of Finance and Budget, thanked the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki for the upgrade and concession of the former Central Hospital Auchi, to the Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.
Comrade Shaibu said upgrade of the hospital became imperative in order to offer quality medical services not only to the people of the community and its environs; but the people of the State in general.
The State Government had embarked on upgrading the general hospital to a Teaching Hospital with the state-of-the-art equipment, he asserts.
As he urged the host community to make good use of the facilities by making themselves available, for the free medical exercise.
“I want to call on the residents of Auchi community and host community to access the teaching hospital, as quality doctors and facilities have been provided for their care”.
Acknowledging magnanimity of the State Government towards making this dream a reality, the Chief Medical Director of the University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Sylvester E. Idogun emphasized the importance of upgrading the hospital until it meets an enviable standard.
Prof. Idogun said the hospital is to train medical personnel who have been upgraded from one unit to four units with specialised services.
“Today marks the transition of Edo General Hospital to Edo University Teaching Hospital; the idea is to train students and render quality health services to residents of the area.”
He promised; the hospital will be opened twenty-four hours every day with efficient medical practitioners, while appealing to the community leaders to help guide and protect the facilities for maximum delivery of quality services.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Uzairue, Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, asserts the quality of equipment in the Teaching Hospital will enhance the functionality of the hospital and improve the capacity of the personnel to deliver quality healthcare to the people.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the Edo State University Uzairue has so far employed about 26 full-time consultants, and 25 Honorary consultants in different areas such as pathology, pharmacology, obstetrics, neuro and plastic surgeons amongst others.
Commending the State Government for the handing over of the hospital to Edo State University, Uzairue, Aluyor assured the teaching hospital now has a state – of the -art-functional facilities to provide world class healthcare services to Edo people.”
The Vice Chancellor said the medical outreach is part of the social responsibility of Edo University to its host community; and to create awareness of the upgrade of the General hospital, Auchi to Edo University Teaching Hospital.
He assured that the institution would provide a world class healthcare services to the people of the community and its environs.
In a goodwill message, the Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, HRM Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, appealed to all sons and daughters of Auchi and the entire Edo North to continue in their unwavering support to make the facility serve its purpose.
The Otaru also enjoined all medical staff of the teaching hospital to show commitment and cultivate the right attitude to work; while delivering quality services to the people.
The frontline traditional ruler commended the State Government for upgrade of the General hospital to a teaching hospital.