Aiyedatiwa to inaugurate Ondo Hospitals Management Board, begin 500-bed projects
By Boye Oyeyemi
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has announced plans to formally inaugurate the state Hospitals Management Board as part of efforts to reposition the healthcare sector.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed this on Thursday when the newly elected executives of the Nigeria Medical Association, Ondo State chapter, led by its Chairman, Dr. Roland Arohunmolase, visited him at his office in Akure.
The governor explained that the board had not been formally inaugurated following the departure of its former chairman, who was appointed secretary to the state government, while another member, Dr. Segun Ategbole, resigned to contest an election.
According to Aiyedatiwa, a substantive chairman has now been appointed, while Dr. Nathaniel Akeredolu has been coordinating the board’s affairs pending its formal inauguration.
“I will look into the composition and do the official inauguration of the board,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor also disclosed that contractors had commenced work on 500-bed hospital projects awarded across the state, assuring the NMA that his administration would continue to invest in healthcare infrastructure and medical equipment.
He added that the government was addressing challenges affecting the deployment of medical doctors as corps members, particularly the difficulty of attracting doctors to Akure. Aiyedatiwa said allowances had been increased and improved accommodation was being constructed at the NYSC camp.
In response, Arohunmolase commended the governor for interventions in the health sector, including implementation of the new salary structure and procurement of medical equipment such as a CT scanner. He also welcomed the planned 500-bed hospitals, saying the measures had improved the welfare of health workers and healthcare delivery in the state.
