…As the institution clocks 70
There was mixed reactions at the Board Room of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL) on Monday, as the Medical Director, Dr.Olurotimi Odunubi, briefed journalists on the institutions’ journey way back December 1945, when it was established as a medical centre, under the British Colonial medical services.
Odunubi who was filled with gratitude to God and all philanthropists, for their contributions to the immense development of the hospital, however lamented the sharp decrease in subvention from government, which drastically dropped from an average of N7 Million to N2.5 Million.
“This was a major challenge for a government funded establishment like ours where government pays staff’s salary, gives overhead and has capital vote. With this development, we had to source for internally generated revenue to cope with our monthly cost of running the institution. For instance, we use an average of N4.1million worth of diesel monthly, with other costs inclusive.
“Nonetheless, on this occasion of our 70th anniversary, we are not ungrateful to the Federal government, for its unrelenting support to the NOHIL, even in the face of dwindling economy, as we are hopeful of better allocation in the coming years, for the provision of improved, international standard orthopaedic, burns and plastic surgical services to the populace”, he stated.
Explaining reasons for the minimal increase in patients’ fees, Odunubi attributed it to the shortfall in subvention to the hospital, saying that the institution is still open to receive all injured patients, with or without payment, adding that their speedy recovery is of utmost interest to the caregivers, as payment can be made later.
He however assured the citizens of better services ahead, stating that the hospital is poised to give excellence service to the public after the platinum anniversary, appreciating all donors to the institution since inception, especially, Sir Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Adebutu Kessington Foundation, Santana Group, among others.
