Lai: Buhari administration’s response to health emergencies unprecedented

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says the response of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to health emergencies in the country has been unprecedented.

Lai spoke on Saturday at the inauguration of an 80-bed Mother and Child Hospital in Oro, his hometown, in Kwara state.

The inauguration of the projects was part of activities lined up for the 2023 Oro Day celebration in the town.

According to NAN, the hospital, facilitated by the minister, was built by the office of the special assistant to the president on sustainable development goals (SDG).

Another 40-bed hospital, built in Igbaja town, was also inaugurated.

He said the Buhari administration is executing universal health coverage by expanding the net to capture a lot of people under the health insurance programme.

“The basic healthcare provision fund is being operationalised to provide health care to poor and indigent Nigerians. We will ensure the availability of basic minimum package of health services,” the minister said.

“This will ensure that at least 100 million Nigerians will have health insurance coverage through public and private sources.

“The administration’s response to health emergencies has remained unprecedented particularly how we were able to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

“Worthy of note is that under this administration, Nigeria has been certified wild polio free.”

On how Kwara has benefitted from the federal government’s health projects, Lai said no fewer than three of such hospitals and facilities have been executed by the SDG’s office in the state.

He said a 100-bed hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, has been commissioned in Eiyenkorin, Asa LGA of the state, to reduce maternal, infant and neo-natal deaths.

The minister said the 80-bed hospital being inaugurated in Oro is equally equipped to promote the health of mothers and children.

“It has a theatre, incubators, ventilators, phototherapy machines, patient monitor, children’s beds, examination beds, 100kva generator, furnished and lit with solar street lights,” he said.

“This development is in line with PMB’s administration commitment to providing health facilities to cater to the needs of Nigerians.

“I am told that the SDG office commissioned over 35 of the 100-bed hospitals spread across the country.

“It also commissioned twenty 80-bed hospitals and numerous primary health centers across the country.”

Lai commended the SDG office for the strides it has recorded in the provision of social services across the country and appreciated the president for his numerous support to Kwara, particularly his community.

“Recall that some weeks ago, we were here to perform the groundbreaking for the construction of a power transmission substation,” Lai added.

“The network of roads constructed in Oro is also a testament to Mr President’s footprints in this community.

“I will urge you to continue to support the government to succeed and also to take advantage of the health facility to promote the health and well-being of mothers and children.”