In a landmark achievement, the Federal Government, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has commissioned a state-of-the-art 20-bed Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Oreta Community, Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikorodu, Lagos State. This development crystallizes the administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes improved healthcare accessibility and universal health coverage.
Facility Overview and Provisions
The inaugurated healthcare centre is equipped with an array of essential facilities, including:
- A fully-fledged labour room designed to enhance maternal care
- An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for critical patient management
- Dedicated maternity and behavioural health rooms
- Well-appointed patient wards
- A consultant’s office for specialized medical consultations
According to Desmond Utomwen, media aide to the OSSAP-SDGs, these comprehensive provisions aim to address the pressing healthcare needs of the local population, with a specific emphasis on maternal and child health, thereby supporting the attainment of SDG 3, which centres on ensuring good health and well-being for all.
Key Stakeholder Reactions and Commitments
At the commissioning ceremony, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, expressed her delight and underscored the project’s transformative potential for the community:
“This healthcare centre embodies more than a development project; it symbolizes our unwavering dedication to realizing the SDGs, particularly Goal 3, emphasizing the importance of good health and well-being. It stands as a beacon of our commitment to making accessible and affordable healthcare a reality for every Nigerian, starting from the grassroots.”
Princess Orelope-Adefulire also outlined plans for future enhancements, including the establishment of units for immunization, antenatal care, gynaecology, and postnatal care, alongside additional infrastructure such as doctors’ quarters and upgraded security measures.
Community and Leadership Response
The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Builder Olusesan Daini, lauded the federal government and Princess Orelope-Adefulire for this impactful intervention, stating, “This healthcare centre is a ray of hope for over 51 Community Development Associations and countless families in Oreta and its environs, marking a significant game-changer for healthcare delivery in this region.” Daini pledged the community’s commitment to maintaining the facility.
His Royal Majesty Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, commended the initiative as a milestone in the community’s development, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government and community leaders in addressing healthcare needs.
Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu Constituency II, welcomed the project, emphasizing its potential to transform lives and demonstrating what can be achieved when leaders prioritize the well-being of the people.
Sustainability and Community Engagement
In her concluding remarks, Princess Orelope-Adefulire appealed to the community to ensure the facility’s sustainability, stating, “This centre belongs to all of us. Let us protect it, use it wisely, and ensure it serves generations to come.”
This project serves as a tangible example of purposeful leadership and the power of collaboration in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria, significantly enhancing healthcare access and outcomes for the people of Oreta and beyond.