Oyo Federal Lawmaker, Ojerinde Presents Bill On Establishment Of Federal Medical Centre In Igboho

The Lawmaker who represents Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency at the floor of the House of Representatives, Hon. Olumide A. ojerinde has presented a bill gearing towards the establishment and actualization of Federal Medical Centre in Igboho, the headquarters of Oorelope Local Government.

Ojerinde’s message on a bill for establishment of Federal Medical Centre at the floor of the green chamber of the National Assembly was said to have been read for the first time on 26th February,2020.

Its second reading goes thus,”LONG TITLE: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, IGHOHO, OY O STATE.
SPONSOR:  HON OLUMIDE A. OJERINDE”.

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, kindly permit me to lead the debate on the General Principles of A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Medical Centre, Igboho, Oyo state. This Bill was read for the first time on 26th February, 2020.

With the concentration of poverty, low health status and high burden of disease in rural areas, there is a need to focus specifically on improving the health of people in rural and remote areas, particularly if the urban drift is to be reversed.

It is worthy of note however, that Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo state, despites its strategic location and her population is apparently having enormous health challenges as no quality tertiary health facilities to provide health services for the people.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Colleages, it may interest you to know that developments in Oyo state is concentrated in the urban centers to the utter neglect of the entire Oyo North where Irepo, Oorelope, Olorunsogo Federal Constituency is located. Mr Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, looking at the plight of my people, I keep on asking where is equity? Where is justice? Where is fairness?”

Known for large state farming, Igboho is the capital of Oorelope Local Government Area, Igboho lies in fertile country of wooded savanna. It spreads over an extensive area 917 KM². Mr Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, there is disparity in socio-economic development as reflected by the lack of adequate health facilities in Oorelope Local Government Area. The consequence of all these is the pervading low quality of life of people in my Federal constituency.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, It is therefore logical that a Local Government Area of such strategic economic, cultural and geographic significance should have a Federal Health Facility that can cater for the needs of the growing population.

A CASE FOR A FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, IGBOHO

Research has shown that tertiary health care facilities makes up only 0.25% of health facilities in the country. The low number of tertiary health care facilities per unit population can lead to a lengthy wait for specialized care. The present fight against COVID-19 is a prove to the fact that as a nation, we need more health facilities in order to adequately cater for the needs of our people.

Therefore, considering the various deprivations the good people of Irepo, Oorelope, Olorunsogo have suffered and continue to suffer in the health care services and delivery. The establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Igboho to service the entire Oyo North and neighbouring states will go a long way to reducing the burden on the over stretched Teaching Hospitals and other health institutions in the country.

FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES OF THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, IGBOHO BILL

The bill seeks to:
a)equip, maintain and operate a medical centre so as to provide facilities for diagnosis, curative and rehabilitative services in medical treatment;
b)construct, equip, maintain and operate the centre with qualified staff, technicians, doctors and nurses,
c)operate clinics, out-patient departments, laboratories or experimental stations like other institutions for the effective functioning of the centre,
d)ensure that medical standards are provided at all establishment under its control, also to ensure that standard of treatment and cure provided is in line with international best practices,
e)articulate general policy guideline relating to major expansion programme of the centre,
f)provide facilities for training of medical students of associate institutions and
g)establish a world class medical centre with modern facilities and technical equipped personnel.

OUTLAY OF THE BILL

a.The bill consists of six parts. 27 sections and a schedule containing supplementary provisions on the principal officers and the organs of the medical center with explanatory memorandum.
b.PART I deals with the establishment, constitutions, principal officers and the governing council of the medical Centre and their tenure.
c.PART II deals with the powers and the functions of the governing councils
d.PART III deals with the staff of the federal medical centre, their appointment and conditions of service
e.PART IV deals with matters relating to financial provisions, annual reports and powers to borrow.
f.PART V deals with general administration and staff discipline
g.PART VI deals with miscellaneous provisions, interpretations and citation.

ADVANTAGES OF THE BILL

a)Provide a platform that improves the quality of life and medical services receive by the good people of Irepo, Oorelope, Olorunsogo federal constituency and Oyo North communities.
b)Improved access to medical services by the people of Igboho, Igbeti, Kisi and communities within and outside Oyo state.
c)Bridge the man power deficit being experienced in the local health facilities within the Federal Constituency.
d)Reduce maternal child mortality rate within the Federal Constituency.
e)Provide employment opportunities thereby accelerating socio economic development to the host communities of the Federal Medical Centre.

CONCLUSION

It is generally believed that when federal institution of this magnitude is established in Igboho, It will support infrastructure rollout that will eventually drive socio-economic development of my people and the state at large. The Federal Medical Centre will boost urban rural connectivity that will bring about influx of people and new businesses to Irepo, Oorelope, Olorunsogo Federal Constituency from within and outside the country.

I therefore appeal to Mr. Speaker and Highly Respected Colleagues in this hallowed chamber for your overwhelming support that the Bill be pass and be referred to the relevant committee for further legislative processes.

Thank you and God Bless you.