30th October, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared that he has no regrets demolishing the Benin Central Hospital and converting it into a museum, citing a broader vision for healthcare in the state.
He made this statement on Wednesday during the commissioning of the newly reconstructed Edo State College of Health Science and Technology (EDOCOHEST).
The historic Central Hospital, over 100 years old, was torn down in 2022.
Obaseki explained, “I had to bring down the Central Hospital, and I have no regrets. In its place, we now have more than 10 primary health centres serving the community, ensuring that healthcare is accessible to residents without extensive travel.”
According to Obaseki, Nigeria has over 12,000 political wards, and the national policy mandates a health centre in each one, aiming to make healthcare accessible within 15-20 minutes of travel in local communities.
“With almost 200 wards in Edo, we would need at least 2,000 health workers to staff primary health centres. Where do we train them? Nowhere. Nigeria requires over 250,000 health workers for primary healthcare alone,” he stated.
Reflecting on the state of healthcare, Obaseki shared that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgency of developing a robust local healthcare system.
“COVID-19 was a wake-up call. It wasn’t just the virus that scared me but our limited capacity to respond. I realised that if an emergency occurred, many of us would have no option but to stay in Nigeria for treatment.”
Obaseki underscored that healthcare extends beyond hospitals and infrastructure—it’s a comprehensive system that relies on skilled professionals.
“We need to train not just doctors but all healthcare providers, including nurses and pharmacists. Our College of Health Science had been closed with no accreditation, but in 2020, I committed to revamping our healthcare institutions.”
He added that building local expertise would reduce the need for medical travel abroad, saying “We must stop believing that solutions only come from the top; they also come from the grassroots.”
Obaseki highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities now available at EDOCOHEST, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to training students to the highest standards.
“This campus has world-class facilities, including free internet, Wi-Fi, and electricity. Admission was based purely on merit,” he said, affirming his commitment to youth empowerment and improved healthcare access in Edo State.
