The InfoStride Forum

 As part of the efforts to revolutionize the health sector in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said that his administration would establish an ultra-modern diagnostic centre at the State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan.

The governor disclosed this while inaugurating the Florence Ajimobi Alaanu House, dedicated to the memory of his mother, Alhaji Dhikrat Abeje Ajimobi, at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan on Thursday.

When completed, he said that the diagnostic centre would boost health service in the state and complement the efforts of the UCH which he described as the pioneer health institution in the country.

The governor commended Mrs. Ajimobi, the initiator of the project for her compassion and commitment to improving the lives of the people.

He recalled that even before he became governor, his wife had always taken it upon herself to carry out some humanitarian services including the donation of buildings to orphanages.

Governor Ajimobi urged wealthy individuals to imbibe the spirit of giving back to the society part of what the society had given to them.

"The point I am making here is that we must continue to give back to the society part of what we have benefitted from the society. And you will discover that as you grow old, most of the things you think you need when you have money; when the money comes, doctors will tell you that you don't need them.

"Therefore, you must take more joy in the service to humanity. Give as much back to the society as you have taken. We should all realize the fact that the greatest form of Godliness is service to humanity,'' he said.

In her address, Mrs. Ajimobi, who was conferred with the title of Ambassador of Peace and Humanity by the management of UCH, said that she was motivated into donating the building to UCH when, during one of her visits to the hospital, she saw relatives of the sick "sprawling very awkwardly'' in every available space, not minding the sheer discomfort they were going through because they had no place to lay their heads.

"On inquiry, I learnt that though there was provision was made to accommodate relatives of patients who are on admission in the hospital, it is grossly inadequate to cope with the number of people who have to sleep over to see to the needs of their loved ones and so, they have to make do with hanging around for as long as was necessary.

This, Mrs. Ajimobi said, amounted to double jeopardy, considering the stress and trauma of caring for a sick person, adding "the dignity of the people must be preserved, even in the face of pain and turmoil''.

She described the project as the product of a heart filled with true compassion for the plight of others and a practical demonstration of the commitment of the Ajimobi administration to touching lives in ways that were beyond the people's imagination.

The Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge, in his remarks, said that the house would add dignity to those offering to look after their sick relations at the hospital.