Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has approved the takeover of the Ogidi Cottage Hospital by the state government.
The Permanent Secretary of the Kogi State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Enehe Dorcas Omeneke, conveyed the approval to the community leadership today.
Governor Ododo has directed the Ministry to assume full management and operations of the hospital.
In the letter, the state government expressed gratitude to the Ogidi community for its significant contributions to healthcare delivery not only within the community but also to neighboring areas.
The government further encouraged the community to continue its commitment to improving healthcare services for its people.
The hospital’s construction began following a generous donation of N5,000,000 from an illustrious son of Ijumu.
Despite facing significant challenges in completing the project, the community sought assistance from the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency.
The agency required the community to provide a counterpart fund, which was supplemented with additional funding to complete the facility.
The hospital was then commissioned by former Governor, Captain Idris Wada.
Ultra-modern medical equipment for the hospital was donated free of charge from the United Kingdom by Ripples, a non-governmental organization founded by Ogidi native, Ms. Anne Toba.
The organization also funded the construction of a surgical theatre and provided the necessary surgical equipment.
Despite these contributions, the hospital was eventually closed due to a lack of manpower and financial resources. In response, the Ogidi Development Union (ODU) established the Ogidi Health Team to raise funds for the renovation and reopening of the facility.
An online fundraising event, which attracted Ogidi indigenes from across Africa, Europe, the United States, Canada, and Asia, raised approximately N11 million.
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This enabled the renovation of the hospital and the hiring of critical paramedical staff, along with part-time doctors who visit the hospital twice a week.
In reaction to the government’s takeover, His Royal Majesty, the Ologidi of Ogidi, Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, expressed his and the community’s sincere appreciation to Governor Ododo for this timely intervention in improving the healthcare of the Ogidi people.
The President of the Ogidi Development Union, Mr. Raphael Kayode Eniolorunda, also extended the community’s gratitude, acknowledging the governor’s unwavering support and love for the Ogidi community.
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