From Audu Joe, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to reposition the health sector to boost quality healthcare delivery system in the state for improved living conditions of citizens.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Haruna, gave the hint while inspecting the construction works at New Ultra Modern General Hospital, Eganyi and the Central Reference Hospital, Okene both in Ajaokuta and Okene Local Government Areas in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi State.
Haruna expressed satisfaction with the level of work done by the contractors handling the world class Reference Hospital, saying, ”we are very impressed with what we have seen on site today.
”We have visited Ajaokuta, and we are now in Okene to access the work being done in the Reference Hospital, and I can tell you categorically that we are satisfied with the level of work being done here.
He disclosed that medical equipment to be supplied by Neusoft Medical Systems company would be the first of its kind in Nigeria.
He added that government would also be deploying CARD-LAB to the hospital where people with Cardiac problems could be managed in real time, insisting that there was no such centre currently in Nigeria.
”So, I can tell you categorically that the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is determined to reposition not just Kogi State Health sector but also Nigeria’s health sector.
”We are proud of him and the people of Kogi should appreciate the kind gesture from the governor”, Haruna said.
The commissioner added that the state government is also replicating the project in five other centres across the state.
He, therefore urged the host communities to support the projects to ensure that they cooperate with the contractors as they have been very exemplary in their disposition to the ongoing construction work.
Also speaking, Mr Hani Saade, General Manager of African Business Unit, Neusoft Medical Systems, thanked the Governor and the Commissioner for enabling the company to partner with Kogi State Government for the supplying of Medical Imaging products to the Reference Hospital.
”We will be hopefully supplying the latest technology; State of Art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Unit, and Slice CT Scan that will position the centre among the best in the area of CT-scanning possibilities in the country.
According to Saade, the CT Scan has the potential and capacity to do specific advance scannings including advanced Digital X-Ray System Mammography and Ultrasound units.
Saade hailed the Governor on his approach on the supply of the equipment by initiating a very long term warranty plan of two to five years in order to make sure that the systems are well in place and always functional for the rest of the contract period which is 60 months.
”This is, in my opinion the best and a leading approach globally in the supply of medical equipment which we must comply with; we will do it openly and very happily.
”Hopefully, in the next three to four months our systems would be up and running in this hospital and the local population will take advantage of those advance medical imaging equipment that Kogi Government is planning to to install here”, Saade said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Pharm. Clement Amedu, commended the governor for embarking on people based projects at the grassroots, and called for prayer for him to sustain the gesture.
On her parts, Mrs Rose Iyioma, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Kogi Ministry of Health, commended the governor and the commissioner for the execution of the gigantic projects for the benefits of the people.
Dr Onoja Ibrahim, the Managing Director, of the Central Reference Hospital, thanked the governor for the gesture, saying it is a ‘time enduring legacy’ for the benefits of the people of Kogi central, the state and Nigeria at large.