By Edebor Esther Ihunanyachi
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative for Africa (ASR) has assured the Edo State Government that it would fulfill its earlier promise of providing world-class medical equipment for the second phase of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital on completion.
The Multilateral Coordination Specialist for Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative, Mr. Nakama Keri, gave the assurance while on an assessment visit to the construction site in the premises of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital on Country Home Motel Road, Benin City.
He was guided on the project tour by the contractor, Sani El Halaby; the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwian; the Medical Director of Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Dr. George-Osasuyi O; and representatives of the Tanit Medical Engineering, the consulting company for the drafting of the plans for the Hospital, which is being expanded to a 250-bed specialist hospital.
The tour of the facility was preceded by a meeting at the Edo State Ministry of Health where the preferred healthcare equipment to be funded by ASR were deliberated upon.
While speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, expressed appreciation to ASR for its commitment to support the State in equipping the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, and appealed for a sustained relationship in order to further strengthen the healthcare services in the State.
In his response, the Multilateral Coordination Specialist for Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative, Mr. Nakama Keri, applauded the State’s doggedness and pro-activeness so far towards the release of the equipment funds, adding that the Foundation was currently handling projects across Nigeria and Africa, and that Edo has been pushing harder for the funds compared to other States and nations.
He assured that the funds would be disbursed to the State as soon as the necessary final clauses are attended to.
Speaking on the progress on the hospital project, the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Strategy, Policy, Projects and Performance Management, Mrs. Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun, expressed delight at the readiness of the funds, stating that the Stella Obasanjo Hospital is a legacy project for the Obaseki administration.
She added that the Governor is determined to remodel the hospital to a medical city with the ongoing construction, and assured that on completion, the hospital project would be top notch and of world class standards.
