By Ayodele Oni
Worried by the increase in cases of mental illness in Ondo state, government has concluded arrangement to build new psychiatric hospital in the State.
This was among decisions reached at this week’s meeting of the state executive council presided over by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure on Tuesday.
The commissioner for health, Dr Banji Ajaka, while briefing journalists, revealed that the council approved the construction of a new neuropsychiatric hospital, as well as the upgrading of the existing Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Akure.
According to him, the move was necessitated by the growing burden of mental health challenges and drug abuse, which has placed considerable pressure on existing facilities.
Ajaka noted that the current psychiatric hospital is overstretched, with patients often waiting for months for admission, adding that the new and upgraded facilities would provide modern treatment conditions and improved privacy.
The Council also has approved the construction of 500-bedded hospital buildings across the state, and infrastructure upgrade.
Dr Ajaka, stated that the government had embarked on a comprehensive expansion of healthcare infrastructure through the approval of several 100-bedded and 50-bedded hospital buildings.
He disclosed that the projects include 100-bedded hospital buildings in Ikare-Akoko, Ore and Okitipupa, as well as additional 100-bedded facilities for the state specialist hospital and another specialist hospital in Igbokoda.
Ajaka further announced that 50-bedded hospital buildings were approved for Irele and Igbokoda, alongside two general hospitals structured as “one-stop shop” facilities where laboratory, X-ray, consultation and pharmacy services would be provided within a single building.
He explained that the cumulative capacity of the approved projects stands at 500 beds, noting that the development is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare services across the state.
According to him, the one-stop shop model is designed to streamline service delivery and eliminate the need for patients to move between different units before receiving treatment.
He added that the council approved a revised cost for the contributory health commission building to enable expansion, as well as the procurement and installation of modern medical equipment for the Government House clinic.
The commissioner further stated that plans were underway to install advanced diagnostic equipment, including CT scan, MRI and mammography machines, at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
Alarming Mental Cases
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