…Places 10,000 Residents on Health Insurance, Set to Commission 40-Bed Hospital

By Chioma Obinna

The Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mayor Dele Oshinowo, has reaffirmed his commitment to revitalising primary healthcare as a key step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He emphasised that ensuring accessible and quality healthcare at the grassroots level is essential for public health improvement.

During a courtesy visit to Vanguard’s head office in Lagos, Oshinowo highlighted his administration’s efforts since assuming office in 2017, with a strong focus on expanding healthcare accessibility and infrastructure.

A cornerstone of his healthcare initiative is the provision of free annual health insurance for 10,000 residents to ease the financial burden of medical expenses.

“We realised that for people to truly access healthcare, it’s not just about building primary healthcare centres. So, we onboarded about 10,000 people on health insurance, providing them with free annual coverage,” he stated.

Beyond insurance, the Chairman has prioritised modernising existing healthcare facilities. Collaborating with organisations like the SDGs and Octiva Partners, his administration has converted outdated facilities into well-equipped maternal hospitals, significantly increasing bed space and medical capacity.

30-bed maternal and child hospital: Renovated in partnership with SDGs at Mascara.

40-bed hospital in Agboyi (Riverine area): Being renovated by Octiva Partners and set for commissioning.

Upgraded primary healthcare centres: Nearly all PHCs in the LCDA have been renovated and modernised.

Recognising the shortage of medical personnel, Oshinowo outlined plans to hire four additional doctors, offering competitive salaries of ₦400,000 and accommodation to ensure long-term retention.

“Most of the time, corper doctors are assigned to these centres, but when they don’t receive adequate pay, they leave. Right now, we have only one doctor, so we are planning to employ four more,” he explained.

Despite progress, Oshinowo acknowledged that challenges persist. However, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuous improvement and healthcare expansion.

“We’re not there yet, but we will continue working. What we have done so far is making an impact, and we won’t stop.”

As his tenure nears its end, he hopes that future leaders will build on the solid foundation he has laid, ensuring sustained access to quality healthcare in Agboyi-Ketu.

Beyond healthcare, Oshinowo’s administration has invested significantly in infrastructure, economic empowerment, and education, including:

Road Construction & Housing:

46km of roads rehabilitated and constructed in his first tenure.

Three housing estates commissioned (277 units), with another 300 units nearing completion.

Recreational Facilities:

A 150-seater elevated stadium with a football pitch, gym, and table tennis court.

Economic Empowerment for Petty Traders:

Over ₦270 million invested in direct financial support.

A transparent model where CDC and artisans partner with financial institutions to credit traders’ accounts.

Education & Digital Skills Training:

School renovations and educational material support.

Establishment of an ICT hub in collaboration with Google, Microsoft, and the German embassy for digital training programmes.

With these initiatives, Oshinowo aims to ensure a holistic and sustainable development approach for Agboyi-Ketu residents.