The management of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, has said that apart from the subventions being received from the Federal Government, its ability to fulfill its mission as a public tertiary medical institution lies in the support given by public spirited individuals and donor institutions.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, made the disclosure on Thursday while receiving medical consumables and equipment from the Lead Generation Initiative.
Among others, LGI, a non governmental organisation chaired by honourable Shina Peller, donated two sets of rechargeable pulse odometers, 50 pieces of personal protective gowns and 10 pieces of nebulizers.
Otegbayo, who said the materials would be used for treating COVID-19 patients, disclosed that such gesture had helped the hospital to be up to task in the fight against the pandemic.
According to him, as a public hospital, UCH gives, at least, N100million worth of free medical services to indigent patients who cannot afford the cost of treatments annually.
The CMD, who attributed the state of the health sector to poor planning, said, “The equipment and consumables donated by the Lead Generation Initiative and other philanthropists are being used by our patients with COVID-19 infections. A number of them come here without a dime. UCH is a public hospital, therefore, we are not supposed to charge commercial rate.
“Every year, we treat indigent patients who don’t have money to pay for their treatments to the tune of over N100million and we have no right to turn back any patient so we depend on donations like this to take care of such patients. We have some Nigerians who are helping us along that line.”
Otegbayo, who noted that the country is not doing so well in the health sector, however said, “The important thing is that we are moving; we are not static and there is no retrogression but we are not there yet. The COVID-19 pandemic actually exposed the weakness in our health system but we thank God for the proactive step that government is taking to bridge the gaps.
“This is a very trying time for all health institutions, not just UCH and not just Nigeria but the world in general. There is no health institution that has not been affected negatively by COVID-19, even countries where they have all the resources also cried. I can tell you that God has been so kind to us in Africa because we have not witnessed the kind of mortality associated with COVID-19 infections as the developed world.”
Peller, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, describing health as a critical sector in any nation, said, “In the last six months we have been battling with the Coronavirus pandemic. This has put a lot of pressure on our health system.
“It shows that everyone needs to rally round the sector. We know how important UCH is to the state and the entire country. On a day like this when the country is celebrating 60th anniversary, we think of giving back to the society. We are sure that the medical supply would go a long way in supporting the services of the UCH. We shall continue to offer support.”
