A N60 million newly reconstructed building for people affected with leprosy (PALs) has been commissioned by the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the Okegbala Leprosarium, near Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government.
The building project, which is the second phase, was financed by the Damien Foundation Belgium in partnership with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy programme of the Ministry of Health to take care of people affected with leprosy at Okegbala Community.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor AbdulRazaq described the accomplishment of the building for the PALs as the product of an effective partnership in healthcare, to ensure that democratic dividends get to all and sundry.
The governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Razaq Raji, commended the foundation for reconstructing the edifice, noting that it will improve the standard of living of the residents of Okegbala Leprosarium.
The commissioned building project has a total of five blocks of 25 rooms with detached toilet facilities to replace the dilapidated old buildings initially housing the PALs with a view to giving them a new lease of life.
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Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Razaq Raji, had thanked the governor for providing enabling environment in the areas of counterpart funds and security, which had encouraged the various foreign partners to work smoothly with the government and people of the state.
Dr Raji disclosed that the governor has been providing monthly financial support for the ECWA mission hospital and many other programmes to ensure the comfort of people affected with leprosy and tuberculosis.
While appreciating the Damien Foundation for its commitment and support to Okegbala Leprosarium, the Commissioner assured that government will continue to partner with the foundation in order to eliminate leprosy in the State.
He later redeemed his promise of donating a sewing machine to one of the children of people affected with leprosy who had been trained as a seamstress.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health and Environment at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Razaq Owolabi expressed appreciation to both Governor AbdulRazaq and Damien Foundation for their keen interest in the welfare of people living with leprosy.
Also speaking, the Country Representative of Damien Foundation Belgium, Dr Osman El-Tayab said the motive behind the reconstructed building was to better the living conditions of the leprosy people of Okegbala.
Dr El-Tayab also donated a motorcycle and a set of medical kit stocked with essential drugs for the use of inhabitants of the leprosarium Community.
The host monarch and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti appreciated the State Government and Damien Foundation for transforming the Okegbala leprosarium.
Oba Adeoti, however, called for the upgrade of Omu-Aran General Hospital to a Teaching Hospital status in view of its location and accessibility to other neighbouring communities along the Kwara South senatorial district of the state.
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