Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, have commended Dr Leemon Ikpea for establishing a 62-bed ultramodern medical centre in Ewatto area of the state.
Okpebholo, who spoke at the inauguration of the facility on Monday in Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state, noted that the hospital was established to improve access to quality healthcare services for residents of the community and neighbouring areas.
The governor said the investment demonstrated the importance of private sector participation in strengthening healthcare delivery.
He pointed out that government alone cannot meet the healthcare needs of the population.
Okpeboholo commended Ikpea for the initiative and urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate him by investing in projects that would improve the welfare of residents.
The governor also charged the management of the medical centre and its healthcare professionals to maintain high standards of patient care.
He urged the people of Ewatto to protect the facility and make proper use of it, describing it as a valuable asset that should be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations.
He also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in Edo.
“My administration has recruited over 2,000 healthcare workers to boost our workforce, and upgraded over 65 primary healthcare centres across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“Government alone cannot do it, we need private-sector partners and other individuals to complement public sector investments.
“I charge the management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the medical professionals who will serve here to uphold the highest standards of patient care.
“To the people of Ewatto, protect this facility and make good use of it. Let it become a place of hope and healing,” he said.
The governor, however, assured the people that his administration would mobilise contractor to site to complete the road work on Ewatto-Udo.
Pate commended Ikpea for investing in healthcare infrastructure to serve the people of Ewatto and surrounding communities.
He described the project as a source of pride for the community, and Edo as a whole, noting that access to quality healthcare remained essential to the development of any society.
He said a healthy population is better positioned to contribute to economic growth, adding that farmers, teachers, children and other members of society benefited when healthcare services are accessible and effective.
The minister urged wealthy Nigerians and private sector organisations to partner with the Federal and state governments to expand healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery across the country.
He said such partnerships would complement public sector investments and support efforts to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.
In his remarks, Ikpea, who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALI), said the 62-bed medical centre was equipped with modern facilities to provide healthcare services to the people.
He urged community leaders, residents and security agencies to take collective responsibility for protecting the hospital, its equipment and buildings against damage and vandalism.
Ikpea said the facility belonged to the community and should be treated as a collective asset, stressing that its protection would ensure its continued availability for healthcare delivery.
