By Shina Abubakar Osogbo

In a bid to advance healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the Chancellor, Osun State University, Mrs Folorunso Alakija has donated 250-bed ultra modern fully equipped hospital to the University.

Named Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training hospital, it consist of state-of-the-art facilities including; 250 admission beds, 20 clinical departments, five non-clinical departments, community health unit, maternity and Neonatal Medicare, Research and Diagnostics laboratories and four state-of-the-art operating theatres.

Other facilities in the hospital are; cutting-edge diagnostic imaging inclusive of CT scan, MRI scanning facility, ultrasound scanning facility, X-ray and radiography suites, 16 ICUs, Opthalmology unit, modern notary, among several other facilities.

Speaking at the commissioning and handing-over ceremony held at the hospital complex, Oke-Baale, Osogbo, former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, described the hospital as jinx breaker for quality healthcare delivery in West Africa.

His words, “This hospital strengthens the bridge between Theory and practice, education and service, research and real world impact. In doing so, it position Osun state and Nigeria more bluntly as a serious contributor to medical knowledge production and not mainly a consumer of medicine and medical services.

“In the wider West African context, this Hospital represents promise and potential. At a time when our regions still sends too many patients abroad for advance care, this institution points in a different direction. A future where care is delivered closer to home, medical professional are trained to global standards within our Africa and research to relevant to African reality are conducted by African scientists on African soil. We sustain the investment in people partnership and research.

“This hospital has the potential to evolve into the leading regional health centre, serving not only Nigeria but Africa has a whole”.

Speaking on behalf of the donor family, the Chancellor of the University, Mrs Folorunso Alakija called on more spirited individuals to invest in expanding the frontiers of healthcare delivery in the hospital.

She adds, “This is a vision for Nigerians where we can be proud to spend our currency on world class healthcare. Your support is vital to make this dream a reality. Approximately 24 acres are available for further development, offering significant potential to expand our impact.

“As we commission the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training hospital today, we are not merely opening doors, we are opening destinies. This Hospital stands as a beacon of hope, a promise of healing, and a bold step towards transforming healthcare in Osun State, throughout Nigeria and across Africa”.

The Vice Chancellor, Adebooye pleaded with the institution Governing Council to ensure that people who will be appointed to run and work in the hospital are responsible, responsive to lead with dignity and total commitment.