A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has called for improved investment in the healthcare system to enable Nigerians to have unlimited access to quality medical care.
Gowon made the call on Friday in Benin at the 550th-anniversary ceremony of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
The theme of the anniversary was: “Advancing the Legacy of Quality Healthcare.”
Gowon said that training healthcare professionals and sustained investment were apt in an innovative world.
He noted that the healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, hence the need to adapt and innovate ways to meet the challenging needs of patients.
“Let us continue to invest in our healthcare infrastructure, train more healthcare professionals and provide the necessary resources to ensure Nigerians have access to the best medicine possible,” he said.
Gowon, who was the chairman of the occasion, urged healthcare professionals and other key stakeholders to renew their commitments to providing quality healthcare to all Nigerians.
He commended the founding fathers, management, and staff of the UBTH for their unrelenting commitment to the growth of the tertiary hospital.
“This is a significant milestone not only for the hospital but for the old Midwest, Edo, and Delta. This is not only for Edo State but for the entire nation as UBTH has been a cornerstone of healthcare delivery in Nigeria since its inception.
“As we look back over the past five decades, we can stride in the tremendous progress that has been made on healthcare in Nigeria, and UBTH has been at the forefront of this progress providing world-class medical care to Nigerians and training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“I contributed to the building of this hospital and my wife was privileged to officially commission this great institution on May 12, 1973, when I was the Head of State.
“I am proud that UBTH has exceeded our expectations and has become a beacon of hope for those sick and suffering,” Gowon said.
Also speaking, the Governor of Edo State, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, called for a more dynamic and functional model for financing healthcare institutions in Nigeria through robust partnerships with the private sector.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director, of UBTH, Darlington Obaseki, said that the hospital since inception had introduced life-saving treatment innovations, cutting-edge medical equipment, modern processes, and technology to ensure the provision of health solutions to clients.
The Guest Speaker at the event, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Chairman, of Sterling Bank Plc, added that revamping the nation’s healthcare system was key to a healthy population and economic growth.
