The Reference Hospital That Got Nigerians Talking Home and Abroad

• Published date: 10 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

On several occasions, I watched Kogi Government officials speak with pride and satisfaction about the newly commissioned hospital in Kogi being the best in Nigeria. At first, I thought the claim was political and didn't give it a serious consideration. Moreso, Kogi isn't Lagos or Rivers. How did they get such a humongous budget to build the best hospital in Nigeria.

As a concerned Nigeria, I travelled all the way to Okene to see the hospital. And what I saw was mind-boggling. The super-structure, the environment and the facilities were a testimony of excellence and uncommon commitment to greatness.

On my way back to Offa after what I saw changed my name from Thomas to Faith; many thoughts ran through my mind. 'So Nigerian leaders know what is right but always shy away from giving their people the best', it was an invasion of thoughts on one lane, anger on the other and commendation on the last lane.

For instance, the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber is debuting for the first time in Africa. The Hyperbaric Therapy can dispense 100% oxygen and save patients from life-threatening medical conditions, such as canon monoxide poisoning, and decompression sickness which includes central retinal artery occlusion, sudden idiopathic hearing loss, chronic wounds of varying etiology, and avascular bone necrosis, air and gas embolism, cyanide poisoning, acute smoke.

Nigerians who need Hyperbaric Therapy travel to Europe to access the services and in most cases, queue for up to four months to enjoy the therapy; yet, our leaders prefer to queue abroad rather than bring the machine to Nigeria to enable Nigerians enjoy same.

The Kogi Medicare magic is a lesson for Nigerian leaders. Nothing is impossible if our leaders are creative, innovative, committed and patriotic. The Reference Hospital, Okene was made possible because a leader chose to be different. That is what Nigeria needs to truly takes her place as the giant of Africa.

I am sure many Governors won't be happy that Kogi has blazed the trail in medicare. They have been exposed thoroughly and it is now crystal clear that with commitment, Nigerians have no business spending our resources on treatment abroad. We can bring the world to Nigeria and arrest brain drain by providing the best of facilities and conditions for our medical officers.

Nigeria can start from the Kogi example and raise the bar in healthcare delivery in Africa. Ghanaians, Togolese, Beninese , Ivoirians, Cameroonians and other Africans will now come to Nigeria for...