On Friday, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, commissioned a state-of-the-art maternity ward at Aramoko General Hospital in Aramoko, Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Ekiti News reports that the ward was built by Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji and his siblings in memory of their late mother, Mrs. Esther Bosede Oyebanji.
Dr Alausa praised the Governor for his visionary approach to enhancing healthcare facilities in the state, emphasizing that healthcare is a fundamental right of citizens that should not be jeopardized by political expediency.
The Minister stated further that the maternity centre is a testament to what is achievable when you have leaders filled with passion and ready to give back to their community.
He lauded the Governor’s vision and commitment to the health sector stressing that it is instrumental to the achievements recorded in the sector so far.
Dr Alausa added that the Governor’s focus on maternal and child health reflect a deep understanding of the critical role healthcare plays in the development and wellbeing of the people.
He commended the Governor and his siblings for lifting health care standard in the Aramoko Ekiti community with the newly maternity ward equipped with state- of- the- art facilities.
The Minister emphasized President Tinubu’s renewed agenda of delivering quality healthcare services to the grassroots, aiming to ensure that every Nigerian has access to healthcare irrespective of their location.
He said, “President Bola Tinubu’s Renew Hope agenda emphasizes the importance of bringing healthcare closer to the people, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of their location has access to quality healthcare services. We are witnessing a manifestation of this agenda today.
“Sub-national governments have keyed in into the presidential initiative of taking quality healthcare to our rural populace. Ekiti has keyed in, in a much bigger role.”
Governor Oyebanji, earlier in his remarks, said he and his siblings decided to establish a more suitable mother and child ward at Aramoko General Hospital in memory of their late mother and to address the shortage of skilled birth deliveries at the hospital.
The Governor added that the facility would help reduce maternity and infant mortality rates by ensuring safe deliveries for mothers and promoting the healthy growth of every child.
He said, “As some of you may know, on the 21st of December 1967, I was born in this facility. I am where I am today, because my dear mother, in whose memory I have commissioned this building, ensured that against all odds, she visited a health facility where she was attended to by a skilled health worker.
“Last year, when I came here to commission the donated staff quarters, I enquired about the number of deliveries carried out per month. I was made to understand that the majority of deliveries are done outside of health facilities, with poor conditions of service delivery and by people with questionable experience.
“I then made up my mind to establish a standard mother and child ward in Aramoko Ekiti that will help address the gaps in skilled birth deliveries and provide essential maternal and child health services. This Abayomi Esther Bosede Oyebanji Maternity Ward will contribute to the reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates by ensuring that more deliveries are attended by skilled healthcare professionals.”
Chief Biodun Ilori while speaking on behalf of Alara of Aramoko Ekiti and the entire citizens of the town, thanked the Governor for not forgetting his source and for giving back to the community such a magnificent project that would remain in the annals of the society for a very long time.
Chief Biodun Ilori, speaking on behalf of the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti and the town’s residents, expressed gratitude to the Governor for remembering his roots and for contributing such a significant project to the community.
He emphasized that the maternity ward would be remembered in the community’s history for generations to come.
The event was also attended by Deputy Governor Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, the Governor’s wife Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, Head of Service Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, the Governor’s father Pa Ezekiel Oyebanji, traditional rulers, and the Governor’s siblings.