The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Friday, commissioned a state-of-the-art maternity ward built by the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and his siblings in memory of their late mother, Esther Oyebanji, at the premises of Aramoko General Hospital, Aramoko Ekiti.

The Minister, who commended the governor for the unparalleled vision of lifting healthcare facilities in the state to its enviable height, stated that healthcare is the fundamental right of citizens that should not be compromised on the altar of inexpedient political decisions.

He emphasised President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda of delivering quality healthcare services to the grassroots to ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare services irrespective of where they live.

The minister also commended the governor’s commitment to the healthcare sector, stressing that it was instrumental to the achievements recorded in the sector so far, adding that his focus on maternal and child health reflect a deep understanding of the critical role healthcare plays in the development and wellbeing of the people.

He also commended the Oyebanji and his siblings for lifting the standard of healthcare in the Aramoko Ekiti community with the new maternity ward equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

He said, “President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda emphasises the importance of bringing healthcare closer to the people, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of their location has access to quality healthcare services. We are witnessing a manifestation of this agenda today. Sub-national governments have keyed into the presidential initiative of taking quality healthcare to our rural populace. Ekiti has keyed in, in a much bigger role.”

The governor stated that the facility would contribute to the reduction in maternity and infant mortality by ensuring that every mother can have safe delivery, as well as allowing every child to grow up healthy and strong.

He added, “As some of you may know, on December 21, 1967, I was born in this facility. I am where I am today, because my dear mother, in whose memory I have commissioned this building, ensured that against all odds, she visited a health facility where she was attended to by a skilled health worker.

“Last year, when I came here to commission the donated staff quarters, I enquired about the number of deliveries carried out per month. I was made to understand that the majority of deliveries are done outside of health facilities, with poor conditions of service delivery and by people with questionable experience.

“I then made up my mind to establish a standard mother and child ward in Aramoko Ekiti that will help address the gaps in skilled birth deliveries and provide essential maternal and child health services. This Abayomi Esther Bosede Oyebanji Maternity Ward will contribute to the reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates by ensuring that more deliveries are attended by skilled healthcare professionals.”