Residents, Others Excited, As Aderibigbe Donates Hospital To Osun Community

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

It was commendation galore as a multi-million naira hospital built and equipped by a millionaire Nigerian-American doctor, Dr (Mrs) Adeteju Ogunrinde (Nee Aderibigbe) was commissioned and handed over to Ile-Ogbo community in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun state on Saturday, April 13, 2019.

Leading the praises was the state Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola who expressed gratitude to the pediatrician, for donating the hospital.

Special guest of honour, Governor Oyetola, praised Mrs Ogunrinde for her kind gesture in building and donating the hospital.

Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Prince Sola Oyebamiji, said the humanitarian effort was an indication of her love for her community and for the people who would be the beneficiaries of the hospital.

He said the project was in line with his vision and programme on health care, adding that state was willing to partner with individuals and corporate entities exploiting the policies on health care and other sectors for the betterment of their communities

The Governor expressed delight and happiness over the edifice, enjoining wealthy Nigerians to emulate Mrs Ogunrinde and reach out to their various communities in areas that would be beneficial to the generality of the people.

Speaking, Superior, Ministry of Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu eulogised Nigerian-American pediatrician for her foresight in building and donating the hospital without any financial help from the state or federal government.

Isamotu noted that health was the key to the existence and well being of the society, saying the modern health centre would ease the problem of the primary care in the community.

The immediate past Commissioner for Health in the state expressed the state government’s readiness to use everything within its reach to ensure that the hospital functions well, adding that the state would seek the help of NYSC and ensure they send Corps members to the hospital.

In her speech, Mrs Ogunrinde said the decision to build and donate the hospital came on the heel of passion she has for the people of her community.

The Ile-Ogbo born medical doctor said she has been gleefully doing the medical mission over the years and noticed there is poor follow up, adding that she wanted to make sure that people get medicated and ensure that there is follow up for their treatment.

Speaking on the sustainability of the hospital, the Nigerian-American pediatrician said there are lot of donations coming from US, urging other well meaning Nigerians to come to their aid.

“The goal was to provide avenue to combat poverty related issues like obesity, feeding, clothing, educational materials and basic health care needs for children and their families, as well as empower women in providing for their families both here in United States and abroad”

“As a primary care provider, with past experience in many medical missions, the lack of continuity of care with the medical mission weighed heavily, and the notion of focusing on the most prevalent like Diabetes and Hypertension and sponsoring the personnel and medications became a focus”

“However once started, it became clear that this was the only avenue people had in a long time, and few people from the diaspora began offering support in other to maintain the clinic, which is being run out of a borrowed apartment. Now we are fortunate to have a clinic almost to completion while we continue currently to serve the patients”

“We have many resources and people in the diaspora willing to give, we just need coordinated efforts to do it”

“I had earlier, launched a monthly free medical care for diabetes and hypertensive patients for the past two years . The free health care is receiving acknowledgement accrued from testimonies given by the beneficiaries”

Echoing a similar view, Prof Aderibigbe, expressed joy about the project, saying his daughter , Mrs Ogunrinde has been exhibiting her philanthropic gesture since when she was young, assuring that maintaining the hospital would not be a problem since the donor lives in diaspora, she would definitely get help from United State.

The hospital built by Dr. Teju is dedicated to her late grandmother, Sifawu Omoyiola Aderibigbe, the mother of Prof. Pade Aderibigbe.

The centre is structured as an humanitarian centre to offer free medical treatment to patients within and outside the town.

The health centre “Omoyiola Free Medical Centre” which is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in medical science, and one of its kind in the town, will employ qualified medical experts with 24hours services.

Totalhealth Foundation was founded in 2017 in Nigeria as an extension of services provided by parent company Totalhealth Kids Inc. a non-profit based in Maryland USA. The founder Dr. Adeteju Ogunrinde is a practicing pediatrician in the Waldorf, Maryland area, USA”.

The ceremony drew many dignitaries , who praised the project, singlehandedly executed by Mrs Ogunrinde