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…As Health commissioner denies knowledge of plan
From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
A group, Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), yesterday, raised the alarm over purported plan by the state government to shutdown the Edo Central Hospital, Benin.
Interim TEC (The Extended Council) Chairman, Leftist Austine Enabulele, at a large meeting of the group, said that information available to the group alleged that the state government has pencilled down for closure, the hospital without recourse to the health need of the lower class of the society over the years.
Leftist Enabulele also alleged that the government has increased the price of the case file from N6000 to N15,000 adding that, this singular act has made healthcare inaccessible in the state.
“Further information and investigations have also revealed that there have never been employment of doctors since the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki came on board let alone training and retraining of medical personnel of the Central Hospital till this moment.
“The government has not improved anything about the hospital rather it was demolished to pave the way for a museum, a project that has no direct bearing on the welfare of the people of Edo State.
“The pregnant women unit (maternity) and other units of the hospital delivering skeletal services were relocated to the Sickle Cell building in GRA are scheduled for total closure.
“Most recent is the sharp increment of hospital bills like case file which used to be N6000 but has been increased to N15000.
“This is just an example of the increment that touches everything which has further contributed to the pains of the common man in Edo State.
“As we speak, Edo State doesn’t have an intensive care unit (ICU) in the state hospital which finally suggests that healthcare is gone and of no interest or importance to the government of the day,” Enabulele said.
While rejecting the alleged closure of the said hospital by government and the increased bills, he challenged the government to come out openly and tell the Edo people the state of the hospital.
He also asked the government to reverse all the astronomical increments of charges in the public hospital for easy access and affordability by the common man.
The interim TEC Chairman said that as a matter of urgency, the hospital should be restored with functional equipment while doctors should be employed to cover the current shortage being experienced and that there should be training and retraining of all medical personnel in the hospital.
In a swift reaction, the Edo State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Samuel Alli said he was not aware of such and allegations and development. He said he was going to find out and get back to the reporter.
