:: IGBINEDION HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRE

The area of Chief Igbinedion's investment that deserves even more attention is the Igbinedion Hospital and Medical Research Centre situated at Okada. The project was commissioned on 4th May 1993, by President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida represented by Vice President Augustus Aikhomu. The ultra modern hospital comprises 600 beds including a 150 bed maternity ward, 80 V. I. P. suites and four presidential wards. The staff of the hospital rank as some of the best trained in their respective fields anywhere in the world, while the medical research centre is adorned with comparable modern facilities to undertake a most up-to-date training for medical research personnel. The centre has amenities for advanced diagnosis of various illnesses.

"The Igbinedion Hospital and Medical Research Centre is one of the most advanced medical facilities in the developing world. Purposely built as part of the Okada Wonderland development, 65 kilometres from Benin City; the hospital is the first of its kind in West Africa, and the largest private hospital in Nigeria. It incorporates seven clinical blocks and six ancillary buildings, which together provide a full range of state-of-the-art medical services in a peaceful and attractive setting covering an area of approximately 40,000 square metres."

The hospital complex has established the Lady Cherry Igbinedion IVF (lnvitro Fertilization Unit) "where women go for the treatment of gynaecological cases". The Unit is being pioneered by a renowned Gynaecologist, Mr. Marcus Setchell who is the personal Gynaecologist to the Royal House of Windsor. Assisting Mr. Setchell are other eminent gynaecologists and embryologists including Dr. Richard Howell of Portland Hospital London, Dr. Amiya Mukherjee of Churchill Clinic London, and Dr. Anthony Itabor trained at St. Bartholomew Hospital in London by Igbinedion Hospital.

From all indications the Hospital and Medical Research Centre can hardly be a profit yielding project. It is evident that Sir, Gabriel Igbinedion has provided one of the most important social amenities bordering more on philanthropy. Going by the huge investment expended on the infrastructure and the equally colossal amount invested on equipment and other facilities at the hospital and the medical research centre, it is obvious that running the concern on the basis of immediate financial gain is impossible.

But then, why did Chief Igbinedion go into the business of hospital and medical research centre construction and management? The answer to this can perhaps be found in the address he gave in 1986 on the occasion of the foundation laying ceremony of the complex. On that occasion Chief Igbinedion disclosed the idea behind his hospital venture. According to him:

Igbinedion University Diagnostic Unit

The hospital was not cited here for the size of Okada town, but as service to humanity. Over the years, I have noticed that many Nigerians have the routine anxiety of going overseas regularly for medical check-up and attention. In my view, this unending health pilgrimage to advanced overseas countries for medical attention, does not only lower the nation's self-esteem, but also constitutes a huge drain on our external financial resources. Why must all Nigerians, irrespective of status not have the best medical attention in the country? Good medi-care should be within the reach of our people that is why this hospital is being constructed. I strongly believe that just as we are striving to be self reliant in other fields of endeavour we .

can do likewise in the area of health care delivery and research. I want to make this modest contribution to humanity of providing a well­equipped hospital with adequate modern facilities, while the medical staff with their expertise and specialist knowledge will provide the services.

Thus it seems clear enough that the Igbinedion Hospital and Medical Research Centre is more for the cause of humanity than essentially a business concern. As usual Chief Igbinedion embarked on the health care project mainly on patriotic and humanitarian grounds. It is not being suggested here that the services at the hospital and centre are free, but that strenuous efforts are being made within reasonable limits to put the cost of treatment and investigations at affordable levels. Consideration for the plight of the people rather than the profit factor has been the principal object of Chief Igbinedion's reason for establishing the health care project at Okada. Today, with the Igbinedion Hospital and Medical Research Centre, in Okada, the Okada Wonderland has become the medical village of Africa.

:: OKADA AIRLINE

:: IGBINEDION EDUCATION CENTRE

:: IGBINEDION HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRE

Former Nigerian Vice President Admiral August Aikhomu delivering his address at the commissioning of Igbinedion Hospital and Medical Research Centre

In Patient Nursing Care at Igbinedion Hospital Okada

CONCLUSION

This website has attempted to unfold Chief Osawaru Igbinedion from the cradle to manhood and from a humble beginning to a position of enermous affluence...READ ON