By Kemi Olatunde

An administrative block has been commissioned at the Ondo State Infection Disease Hospital (IDH) just as it has been renamed Ondo State Reference Hospital Akure.

Speaking at the commissioning of the administrative block of the hospital, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka stated that the edifice will create enabling environment for staff to give optimal services.

Describing accessibility and proximity to health facilities as key to good health care delivery, he explained that the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu approved the IDH cater for highly infectious diseases noting that expansion of services in the hospital will enable residents access prompt and immediate care to compliment services of University of Medical Service Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH).

“The importance of access to healthcare cannot be overstated as good access is essential to providing high quality healthcare to the people and providers will be able to deliver care in time. This is genuinely a decision that will help the people of the state to access healthcare services promptly”

He hinted that 306 patients have been managed on emergency, outpatient and admission basis aside cases of drug resistant tuberculosis, COVID-19, Lassa fever and Monkey pox which according to him have been treated since its establishment.

 Dr Ajaka implored the people living in the surrounding communities of the state to make adequate use of this hospital for their health benefits while calling for more enrollees under the Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme in this community to subscribe to the hospital.

The commissioner appreciated the Governor of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for raising the bar of healthcare services through different innovations and interventions he has brought on board in the health sector.

The special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof Dayo Faduyile noted that the upgrading of the hospital aimed at ensuring that people of the state benefit maximally in the health programme of government.

He appreciated the effort of the Ministry of Health in ensuring the transformation of the hospital.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharm ( Mrs) Folukemi Aladenola said the infrastructural development was important in extending the range of services of the hospital while appreciating Saving One Million Lives Project (SOML) of the federal government for supporting the state.

She urged the good people of the state to utilise the services available in the hospital.