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Exactly 44 days after The PUNCH reported how a multibillion naira 250-bed hospital was left to rot away, the state government has handed over the facility to a South African investor.
Painted in white, the modern hospital, with 10 ventilators, was over 80 per cent completed when former Governor Ibikunle Amosun left office in 2019.
Before the former governor handed over, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari visited the hospital to inspect the facility.
It was reliably gathered that the Amosun administration paid N5bn out of the about N7bn worth of the project, a gesture that motivated the contractors.
Speaking on Thursday, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the 250-bed hospital abandoned by the previous administration would be partially opened in March 2025, while full operations would begin in June of the same year.
Speaking at the handing over of the hospital to Viewpoint Health Management Services Limited and Pan African Capital Holdings at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, he said the specialist hospital, currently about 65 per cent complete, was inherited from the previous administration and would provide world-class health services to Nigerians when completed.
Abiodun said: “This hospital will meet the precise needs of our population. It is scheduled for a partial opening in March 2025 and full operations in June 2025.
“We are resolute in our mission to ensure this world-class facility serves the people of Ogun State. Following a rigorous process of months of negotiation, we are excited to finally close the concession partnership for this hospital.
“This hospital facility is an ongoing development in partnership with Viewpoint Health Management Services Limited, which is in partnership with HealthShare South Africa, a very reputable hospital management company.
“This stands as a testament to our shared commitment to delivering state-of-the-art healthcare to our people.
“Unlike a fixed 250-bed designation, Viewpoint will complete all civil works, reconfigure the facility, provide other required additional equipment, and staff, and manage the hospital to ensure it operates in line with global best practices.”
Speaking on the contractual agreement, Abiodun said, “The completion of this hospital’s physical structure and equipment setup will be managed by Viewpoint Health Management Services Limited, who will also operate the facility for a stipulated period.
“We will work tirelessly alongside them to provide world-class healthcare for our people.”
The governor said the hospital would be equipped with advanced facilities and cutting-edge technology for effective healthcare delivery, as well as serve as a referral centre for medical research, training, and innovation.
“This facility will be affiliated with the Abuja Medical Centre of Excellence, managed by King’s College Hospital, and will open in the first quarter of 2025,” the governor added.
He expressed confidence that the facility, when operational, would reduce the amount of foreign exchange spent on medical tourism overseas and lay a foundation for long-term growth in the state and national healthcare sector.
The governor, who said his administration was working to ensure accessible and equitable healthcare for all, also revealed that bids for the renovation of an additional 74 Primary Healthcare Centers, in collaboration with the World Bank, had been advertised.
He said the government was awaiting grant approval from AFREXIM to further expand PHCs in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, in her remarks, said the hospital would set a benchmark in the nation’s health sector as it aimed to strengthen the sector to bring healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people.
While appreciating the governor for his visionary leadership and efforts in getting the project underway, the commissioner said it was coming at the right time and place.
The Chairman of Pan African Capital Holdings, Mr Chris Oshiafi, said negotiations for the takeover of the hospital started three years ago.
He assured the government that his organisation was ready to deliver the best medical facility that would discourage medical tourism in the country.
The Chairman of Viewpoint HealthShare, South Africa, Dr Tony Decoito said his company would work towards ensuring the timely completion of the hospital.
Dr Decoito said his organisation was currently operating in 15 African countries, with six in West Africa, stating that his organisation had a complete work plan for the hospital and was ready to complete it in six months.
In an earlier statement announcing the handover, the government said, “Today, we celebrate a major achievement in Ogun State’s healthcare journey — the handover of this 250-bed specialist hospital.
“This project reflects our commitment to completing all inherited projects and providing accessible, world-class healthcare.
“Our partnership with Viewpoint Health Management Services and HealthShare South Africa will ensure the hospital opens by mid-2025, equipped with advanced facilities to reduce the need for medical tourism and serve as a centre for medical research and training.”
