Osun Community Seeks Government Intervention To Rehabilitate Dilapidating Health Centre

By Sodiq Yusuf

Residents of Olutimehin Estate Zones 1, 2 and 3 including Fadilulahi, Sadiat in Oke-Ayepe, Osogbo have called on the government to come to their aid with the rehabilitation of the only Health Centre in the area.

OsunDefender correspondent who visited the community observed that the facility located at the popular Fadilulahi junction in the area was commissioned in 2013 as part of the 774 health facilities projects per local government executed under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Our reporter observed that the facility housing wards, offices of medical personnel and reception is in a state of infrastructural decay as the roofing sheets are clearly worn out.

The situation according to residents of the community has lingered since 2017 when health workers relocated the counseling unit and reception to other parts of the hospital as the roof has been blown off by wind.

In separate interviews with OsunDefender correspondent, two community leaders in the area, Hon Isiaka Tunde and Mr Abdulwaahid Adeoye appealed to the government to come their aid.

The duo noted that several appeals have gone to the authorities concerned without favourable results.

Messers Tunde And Adeoye stressed that the maternity which serves about 6 adjoining communities from the area will ensure the access of the inhabitants of the area to quality basic Medicare.

“This hospital has been moribund for over 2 years. We have made advocacies to the authorities managing this hospital. Apart from the three zones of Olutimehin Estate, adjoining communities like Fadilulahi, Sadiat, Oke-Ijetu, Onward among others in the vicinity.”

“Our people face a lot of constraints with this ugly situation. When the comprehensive health center was working perfectly, it aided the conditions of our people. Now that it has been dilapidated for over 2 years, we are not able to access qualitative health at our doorsteps.”

“This community is a very peaceful one. Since we got here, there has been no rancour nor crisis. We are law abiding and supportive to this present administration.”

Speaking with our correspondent on the matter, the community head of Olutimehin Estate, Chief Oladepo Mudasiru explained that several consultative meetings on the resuscitation of the facility have been held with relevant NGOs and stakeholders.

He harped on the need for urgent renovation and continuous maintenance of the dilapidated health centre to allow the people have access to quality healthcare which is part of the manifesto of the Gboyega Oyetola administration.

His words “The life of the remaining little health workers working there is even in danger as the building can collapse any moment from now especially when the rainy season comes.”

“As part of our strides to ensure the comprehensive health center is renovated, we have met the Chairman of Osogbo South LCDA, Hon Akeem Olaoye on the Issue. He promised to get back to us. At the level of the Community Development Council (CDC), we have consulted and held several meetings with different NGOs and stakeholders to ensure this is done. As it stands, the condition of our only health facility is deteriorating.”

“Our major access road is bad. Our comprehensive health center is also bad and we voted for this government and its predecessor. What are we enjoying from this government? All our efforts to get this facility renovated and properly maintained before now have proved abortive, That is why we have decided to use this medium. We believe so much in the present government that was why we voted massively for them.”