FG To Construct Oxygen Plant In Abeokuta Neuropsychiatric Hospital

ABEOKUTA - The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe has promised that the federal government would construct an Oxygen plant in the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta.

Senator Oloriegbe disclosed this on Thursday at the official commissioning of some key projects constructed by the Neuropsychiatric hospital, Abeokuta.

The Senator noted that, as part of effort to expand infrastructure in many hospitals across the country, about 61 percent of hospitals benefited through the 2020/2021 budget.

Senator Oloriegbe equally said the Senate has passed a bill seeking fundamental human rights to people or individuals with mental illness.

Oloriegbe stated that the mental health bill would invalidate the Lunacy Act 1918 which according to him is outdated.

He said the mental health bill is awaiting the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari before it would signed into law, claiming both the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed the bill. 

"I wish to put on record be that part of our commitment to mental health services in the country. The National Assembly has passed a bill on mental health in Nigeria and that bill seeks to repeal the lunacy Act 1918 which is not only outdated but also antitactical to human right and we have passed a mental health bill that seeks to give life to people or individuals with mental health disorder. 

"In addition to this, the bill is awaiting the president approval because both the Senate and the House of Rep have passed the bill"

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health also noted that the federal government is committed to improve infrastructure in hospitals.

He claimed that, 61 percent of hospitals had benefited construction of infrastructure through the allocation in the 2020/2021 budget.  

"The National Assembly Health Committee , we have about five committees on health and I'm privileged to be the chairman of the joint committee and we will continue to do all we can to ensure that the bricks of the hospital management towards improving lives of patients and members of staff become a reality. 

"As part of our effort, using the opportunity of COVID-19 , we were able to expand infrastructure in many hospitals across the country.

"About 61 percent of hospitals benefited through the 2020/2021 budget to be able to do several more infrastructure and specifically for this hospital, the National Assembly provided in the 2022 budget for the construction of oxygen plant in this institution".

In his address, the Provost and Medical Director, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr. Paul Agboola expressed appreciation to the federal government for releasing fund to develop the hospital.

Agboola maintained that his administration would continue to improve the quality delivery of medical services rendered to the patients.

The projects that were commissioned include; Newly expanded General Medical Practice Clinic Theater Room, Newly Rehabilitated Network of Roads within the Hospital; The Out-Patient Clinic Building; Infectious Disease Control and Treatment Center Building.

Others were, Two Male Wards, Two Female Wards; Molecular Laboratory Building; Ten Bedded Intensive Care Unit Building; Refurbished Laundry Building, Refurbished and newly constructed industrial boreholes.