By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Government has received a total of N2.5 billion grant from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative for the Tertiary Health System Support Scheme, which according to Governor Godwin Obaseki, will be used to equip the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, in Benin City.
After receiving the letter of award from the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, Dr. Ubon Udoh, at the Government House in Benin City, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the healthcare system in the state.
He said, “We are very concerned about healthcare in Nigeria with the post-COVID-19 economy.
“We are determined to make Edo a healthcare hub in Nigeria. The healthcare system is really about the people. Infrastructure is important.
If you don’t have the people that are properly trained, then the equipment will just be fancy for tourism. Within the Edo axis, we can muster up to five thousand doctors in different specialisations.
“If we have access to people who can provide quality healthcare and have world-class institutions or facilities to provide that training, then we should do it.
“Having the right governance means an arrangement where people don’t need to travel to get the kind of care they need.
“We are very keen and are anxious to get this started. For us as a state, we just try and execute.
“Hopefully, next week, we will establish a joint account and the procurement process has to be accelerated; within the next four to six weeks, let the orders be placed.
“I want to thank and appreciate you and the people of Edo will eternally be grateful. We can now proudly say that you have one of your largest investments in Africa in Edo and this is what they are contributing to the lives of our people,” he added.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, Dr. Ubon Udoh, commended the governor for impacting the lives of Edo people through healthcare, noting, “It is a clear indication of your vision for your state and commitment in bettering the lives of your people, through health care. We want to truly appreciate you for that show of commitment and of course, for that laudable project which you are proposing.
“We are here to present to you a letter of award for a N2.5 billion grant for tertiary healthcare support system scheme to support the Stella Obasanjo Hospital.”
“We are going to start by putting an initial deposit of N1.25billion in a joint account between ASR Africa and Edo State Government; I want to congratulate you and your team.
“We want to thank you for the commitment you’ve shown towards bettering the lives of your people and the quality of leadership you’ve shown and which we have seen.
“I want to assure you that this is the beginning of a partnership between ASR and the Edo State Government,” he said.
