Ex-lawmaker, Bimbo Daramola, donates hospital to Ekiti govt

TOYIN ANISULOWO, Ado-Ekiti

Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, has called on the government at all cadres to deploy all machinery to improve the health sector in the country.

Daramola said this in Ire Ekiti yesterday while handing over a multi-million naira hospital he built to the management of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

Daramola, who was represented by his father, Chief Francis Daramola, said he decided to build the hospital in his countryhome as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery of his kinsmen.

He said the hospital named Joan Daramola Memorial Hospital, a non-profit project, was part of the efforts to help in decongesting the EKSUTH’s headquarters in Ado Ekiti, which he said was being patronized by various categories of patients , rather than those with critical complains.

Praising Governor Ayodele Fayose for approving the handing over of the hospital to the state government, Daramola pleaded for the construction of Ado-Afao-Ire and Ijan-Igbemo-Ire roads for easy accessibility to the medical facilities and the site of Ire Burnt Brick Company.

The ex-parliamentarian added that he decided to hand over the hospital to EKSUTH, having realized that it has better management capacity than Anglican Communion that was saddled with the responsibility upon commissioning last November.

Daramola said the 36-bed hospital consist of the state of the earth equipment, including consulting room, x-ray and t-scanning room, seminar room, modern laboratory, theatre, emergency unit, separate male, female and children’s wards, neo-natal ward and others.

“Investments in these two projects, the hospital and Ire Burnt Brick is not a luxury, but worthy investment. The project will surely promote development and improve the economy of the area. It will also reduce pressure on the University teaching hospital in Ado Ekiti”, he said.

EKSUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, who received the facilities on behalf of the government, lauded the former federal lawmaker for deeming it fit to site such giant and benefitting project in Ekiti

“He had the opportunity of sitting this project in Abuja or Lagos where he can make more profit. If he had decided to do this, this opportunity would have eluded us. This shows that our leaders are beginning to think rightly.

“Ekiti would have moved forward if our leaders could think in this progressive manner. But before arriving at the process, we consulted with the governor and all processes were followed.

“These facilities will help in delivering service to humanity. It will also help in the training of medical students, while all specialists in various fields will be visiting for adequate healthcare for our people”, he added.