Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun says the 250-bed hospital in Abeokuta, which the previous administration abandoned, will be partially opened in March, ahead of full operations in June.

Mr Abiodun disclosed on Thursday in Abeokuta during the hospital’s handing over to Viewpoint Health Management Services Limited and Pan African Capital Holdings after months of negotiations.

He said the specialist hospital, currently 65 per cent completed, was inherited from the previous administration and would provide world-class health services to Nigerians when completed.

The governor explained that the hospital would meet the precise needs of the state’s population.

“As per the contractual agreement, the completion of this hospital’s physical structure and equipment set-up will be managed by Viewpoint Health Management Services Limited.

“They will also operate the facility for a stipulated period. We will work tirelessly alongside them to provide world-class healthcare for our people,” he said.

Mr Abiodun added that the hospital would be equipped with advanced facilities and cutting-edge technology for effective healthcare delivery.

He expressed confidence that the facility, when operational, would drastically reduce the amount of foreign exchange spent on medical tourism overseas and lay a foundation for long-term growth in the state.

The chairman of Pan African Capital Holdings, Chris Oshiafi, said negotiations for the hospital’s take-over started three years ago.

Also, the chairman of Viewpoint HealthShare South Africa, Tony Decoito, said his company would work towards ensuring the hospital’s timely completion.

(NAN)