-Deborah Akinyosoye
History was made, Thursday, as the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun handed over a 82% completed 250-bed specialist hospital to a South African investor, Viewpoint Health Management Services and HealthShare South Africa.
The hospital, MITROS hospital, which was started by the past administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s led administration was at 82%, according to a release signed by the Commissioner for Finance and the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dapo Okubadejo, before the expiration of Amosun’s administration.
The hospital with an initial cost of about N7b from which Amosun’s administration had paid N5b, according to the contractors handling the project, had been abandoned in the last five years.
NigeriaTodayTimes gathered that with about N2b left from the contract cost in 2019, the contractors had mobilized all equipment, both medical and structural, and materials, to deliver the project at 100%.
The variation continued to pile up, as at two years ago, much more than the initial cost of the project.
While celebrating the hand over, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the achievement is a reflection of his administration’s commitment to complete all inherited projects.
He said the gesture will also provide accessible and world class healthcare and reduce need for medical tourism.
“Today, we celebrate a major achievement in Ogun State’s healthcare journey—the handover of this 250-bed specialist hospital. This project reflects our commitment to complete all inherited projects and provide accessible, world-class healthcare.
“Our partnership with Viewpoint Health Management Services and HealthShare South Africa will ensure the hospital opens by mid-2025, equipped with advanced facilities to reduce the need for medical tourism and serve as a center for medical research and training.
“Our administration is focused on expanding healthcare across all levels, with initiatives to strengthen primary healthcare, improve service delivery, and support telemedicine. To the people of Ogun State, we reaffirm our dedication to inclusive growth and invite all stakeholders to join us in building a healthier, stronger Ogun State.”
Large numbers of medical and electrical equipment had been lying fallow inside the hospital.
The hospital also had an already completed oxygen plant designed to serve the facility, as well as for commercial purposes.
At the hospital, a 100KVA and 500 KVA generators, which had been installed since 2019, while washing machines and other medical equipment intended to serve the hospital had either been installed or partially installed.
A document obtained from the government showed that the hospital was designed to begin operations with a 60-bed Acute Surgical and Outpatient Centre with critical care capabilities delivered at the public and private healthcare levels.
“All equipment and materials needed for the start-up of the hospital have been supplied, including all medical equipment. In fact, the only equipment that’s not on site is the MRI machine, which has been procured and left at the company because MRI can’t be installed until it is ready for work.
“The contract for the MRI was cancelled last year (2023) since there’s no time on-site for the hospital to take off.
The hospital also provides a surgical internship location for medical students of OOUTH and Schools of Nursing in the state.
It also provides a facility for premium private healthcare delivery and partnership with visiting regional and international medical teams in Ogun State.
Additionally, the document showed that the hospital is equipped with radiology diagnostic, laboratory, accident and emergency, maternal & childcare services, oncology and nephrology services, surgical services, and outpatient clinics.
Further findings revealed that there are four operating suites, each with its inverter as a backup to all other power sources, a 10-bed intensive care ward, a five-bed neonatal intensive care ward, and five delivery suites.
The outpatient services, accident and emergency room, four operating theatres, radiology, adult intensive care unit, laboratory, pharmacy and central sterile administration and services on the basement, and two floors were ready in the hospital.
The facility had also been equipped with oxygen gas piped to every bed-head unit as part of the equipment procurement contract.
The gas production plant has excess capacity, which will adequately provide a revenue stream with the commercialisation of excess gas from the plant.