20th September, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
Edo State government has said that the reconstructed Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin city, the state capital, will put an end to medical tourism.
The Hospital is over 90 percent completed.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Stanley Ehiahinmwian, who disclosed this on Friday while taking journalists on a media tour of the facility, disclosed that the 270-bed Hospital is equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of the healthcare seekers within and outside the state.
“We will commission this hospital next month, that is October and before the Governor leaves the office, we are going to start using this hospital.
“You have gone round the place and I am sure you have seen that it is ready for use but it is just that there are a few things that we need to fix. We can even start operation with it if we so desire,” Ehiahinmwian said.
Speaking about manpower for the hospital, he said: “The issue of manpower will be taken care of. We have a group we are partnering with. I am sure you have heard of Cedar Crest in Abuja, we are partnering with them.
“So, the issues of manpower will be adequately taken care of. Exposure to international best practices, standards, everything has been adequately taken care of,” Obaseki added.
The Permanent Secretary stated that everybody will benefit from the hospital, as the administration has put in place the Edo Insurance Commission (EIC), to give Edo people access to healthcare.
According to him “Edo Insurance Commission is to give Edo people access to healthcare, where you don’t have to spend out of your pocket. As long as you are registered there, you have access to this place.
“For those who didn’t register, if you are a resident of Edo state and have your Resident Insurance Number (RIN), you are qualified to access the health facilities with it.
“This place was built with tax payers money of Edo people, we expect that we prioritize the health needs of residents in Edo state.”
The Project Engineer of Tanit Medical Engineering Company, Engr. Prince Nwuke, said the Hospital has major features that are not found in most public hospitals in the country.
