Where there is no doctor – medical, native or self administered doctor -, the people suffer and cry for help as their daily activities will no doubt, experience drought and gradual decline. This is obviously true as the whole universe for the past few months have been confusingly struggling to find solution to the recent deadly epidemic which has caused urgent shutdown of every sector and has thrown the universe into perpetual socio-economic and political degradation.
This therefore depicts the fact that indeed, health is wealth and the roles of the health sector cannot be overemphasized as they among other roles always ensure that the health status of every individual and the society at large is 100% guaranteed and made free from all forms of medical threat.
Hitherto, all nations of the universe know that the ability of a man to be productive in his daily activities and be beneficial to his country lies in his strength which is being 60% facilitated by good health. This is why every serious minded nation does not play with their health sector and always ensure that reasonable budgets, donations, remunerations and proper attention are given to the health sector, even in advance for future security.
This they do by constantly carrying out medical research, building medical facilities like well equipped and furnished hospitals, isolation centres and offering their citizens regular medical attention through media programmes so as to ensure that the spirit, soul and body of every citizen is active for productivity which will in-turn boost the economy of the country.
Surprisingly, despite the medical preparedness and alertness of some developed countries that the world is looking up to in terms of health, the effect of Covid-19 shook the existence of those nations and rendered them into perpetual confusion; talk less of those countries whose health sectors are haphazard in nature; only God knows what would have happened to Africa, Nigeria to be precise.
Health sector among other sectors is one that should be given much attention in terms of planning (research), budgeting, staffing and evaluation because, in the health status of the citizens lies the strength of a nation. But in Nigeria, the reverse seems to be the case as some of those who should take the lead of development always go to another country whose leaders took their attention to develop their health sectors to treat themselves while, their own country’s health sector is always begging for revival.
Appreciatively, lesson from the on-going pandemic has taught everyone that home is home and there is need for Nigerians to develop every sector of their home, specifically the health sector and ensure all sectors work properly for the benefit of everyone and as a readiness for the unknown future occurrence.
As regards to the recent pandemic, considering the sayings that “the future belongs to those who prepare for it” and “those who fail to prepare are preparing to fail”, it becomes wise for every state in Nigeria to have a proper and well equipped medical isolation centre for emergencies and future occurrences.
In Kogi state, since the inception of the state, God has been so merciful and kind and has always blessed the people with quality leaders which includes but not limited to the incumbent governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello; a democrat who wholeheartedly has the people’s interest at heart as always seen and demonstrated severally in his daily deeds, especially in terms of the various measures he took in the prevention of the recent pandemic.
Obviously, the presence (efforts) of Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi state is always noticed and surely his absence will be felt but however, good intentions sometimes are not good enough until they have been turn into a useful reality. Kogi state as a God’s favourite state that is being governed by a God’s appointed and the people’s elected leader needs to have a proper and well equipped isolation centre for medical emergencies and future preparedness.
Rationally, this is deemed fit to safeguard the people’s medical future; to cut cost and save resources, an uncompleted cottage hospital project with a landmark that’s not less than 60 by 60 kilometer square was commissioned in 2015 by the former governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Idris Wada in Ikuehi-Ihima, Okehi LGA under the watch of Gamji Nigeria Limited Company.
The uncompleted cottage hospital whose inception was honoured by some dignitaries and community leaders has several medical apartments each with its convenience, complemented with a mortuary, a pipe-hole water, an accessible road that’s less than 2 minutes drive from the main road and a secured environment that is perfectly suitable and conducive for any form of medical centre and also safe for patient’s health.
The transformation or completion of this uncompleted medical asset will not only improve the people’s medical, socio-economic standard of living but will also serve as a fulfillment of this administration’s manifesto of “Let’s Do More” of what has been done before. And also, prevent the uncompleted medical asset from being abused daily by some gentlemen whose unhealthy activities made people to nickname the hospital as “Wada Joint.”
More so, as a proof of an undiscriminating leader who is always ready to unite the people of Kogi state under an umbrella of peace, progress and equal distribution of the state’s resources, it becomes important for the state government to consider this erection of an isolation centre in Ikuehi community viable as an avenue to bring the people of Okehi LG closer and boost their believability and support for the vision of this present administration.
The feasibility of turning this uncompleted cottage hospital into a medical isolation centre will not only bring about unity in diversity but will also serve as a platform for the creation of job opportunities for the people of Kogi state and also improve the state’s medical facilities which will in-turn benefit everyone and the government itself.
Having succinctly highlighted the various needs why “Wada Joint” (an uncompleted 60 by 60 km square cottage hospital in Ikeuhi, Okehi LGA) is suitable and best for Kogi state medical isolation centre, it becomes wise for our various God’s appointed and the people’s elected leaders which includes the likes of His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, HRH Alh. Dr. Ado Ibrahim, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku, the Chief of Staff to Kogi State governor, Dr. Senator Yakubu Oseni, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Dr. Saka Haruna Audu, the Commissioner for Health, Kogi State, Hon. Abdulraheem Ozovehe Ohiare, Okehi LGA former Administrator, HRH Ahmed Abdulraheem Ogido, the Ohi of Ihima and the host of other leaders to come together as usual and ensure that this beautiful idea is turn into a useful asset for the benefit of everyone as posterity will never forget their selfless efforts and contributions to the development of Okehi LG and the entire humanity at large.
– Ozovehe Moses writes from Okene, Kogi state.
