House of Assembly Promises Support to Reference Hospital, Expresses Satisfaction With Facilities And Services

Abigail Ayindero-Oyenibi, Okene

Management and staff of the Reference Hospital Okene have been assured of more support from the Government to enable it sustain its qualitative services.

Chairman of the Kogi State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Ochidi Usman Shehu, gave the assurance when he led members on a visit to the hospital as part of its oversight functions.

Hon. Ochidi, who expressed delight at the high tech equipment available at the institution and the positive attitude of staff to work, urged them to sustain the spirit to ensure it retains its position as a world class health facility.

He promised to assist in presenting the challenges facing the hospital to the Executive arm of Government with a view to maintaining optimum healthcare service delivery.

The Committee Chairman also directed the Hospital management to compile and submit the names of adhoc staff which will be forwarded to the Executive to be absorbed into the workforce, pointing out that they have shown great commitment to duties despite the stipend being paid them.

Hon. Ochidi commended the immediate past administration under Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello for providing purposeful leadership and leaving a worthy legacy.

In a remark, the Deputy chairperson of the Committee, who is also the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba, enjoined the staff to maintain the medical equipment in the hospital to justify Government’s huge investment, charging them to sustain the spirit of diligence.

Other members of the Committee present, Hon. Otokiti Zakariya Alhassan and Asema Haruna advised the staff to take ownership of the hospital and perform their duties with all sense of responsibility, stressing the importance of cooperation for the progress of the health facility.

In an address, the Chief Medical Director/CEO, Prof Solomon Avidime, described the Reference Hospital as a signature project of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, a huge investment in healthcare service delivery that has provided numerous employment opportunities.

The Chief Medical Director expressed delight at the visit and intimated the visiting team that the hospital was providing the highest level of care to the people in view of the professionals in various fields available in the hospital.

He expressed appreciation to the present administration under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for its support to the hospital, assuring that it will continue to carry out its responsibility for the overall benefit of the people of Ebiraland, Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.