By Asiwaju Media Team
The Ondo State Government under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is intensifying its healthcare development programme with the procurement of sophisticated medical equipment worth over ₦7 billion, alongside the renovation, expansion and construction of hospitals across the state.
The equipment procurement represents one of the major components of the administration’s effort to strengthen diagnostic, surgical and specialist healthcare services. Reports on the programme identify equipment including a 1.5-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, 160-slice CT scanner, 3D digital mammography system, 4D ultrasound machines, digital X-ray systems, super-speciality theatre equipment, endoscopy equipment, ophthalmology and ENT equipment, among other hospital facilities.
The development is particularly significant because some of these sophisticated diagnostic facilities have historically forced patients to travel outside the state for investigations and specialist medical services. The government is also strengthening emergency and critical care capacity through additional medical facilities and equipment.
Beyond the procurement of equipment, the administration has embarked upon major intervention projects at strategic hospitals across Ondo State.
At General Hospital, Ikare Akoko, contractors have been mobilised for the renovation and upgrading of the hospital. The intervention is expected to be complemented with modern medical equipment, hospital beds and other facilities required to strengthen service delivery.
Similarly, the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, which serves a substantial population in Ondo South Senatorial District, is undergoing renovation and upgrading. Contractors have been mobilised to site, while medical equipment, beds and other essential facilities are expected to complement the physical rehabilitation of the institution.
In Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, the intervention is two-pronged: the existing General Hospital, Igbokoda, is undergoing renovation, while the government is also undertaking the construction of a new modern General Hospital in Igbokoda, with Contractors are on-site mobilized. The facilities are expected to be furnished and equipped with modern medical equipment, beds and other essential hospital infrastructure upon completion.
These interventions form part of a broader programme under which the administration has approved hospital expansion and upgrading projects in several parts of the state. Published reports have also identified major hospital projects at Ikare-Akoko, Ore, Okitipupa, Igbokoda and Irele.
Another major development is the establishment of a School/College of Nursing Sciences in Ilaje Local Government Area, following the approval of the Aiyedatiwa administration.
The government had earlier announced the establishment of the nursing institution at Kofawe in Ilaje, with land acquired for its permanent site and construction planned as part of the government’s expansion of healthcare education in the southern part of the state.
Significantly, admission is now ongoing for the pioneer set of students for the 2026/2027 academic session, with academic activities expected to commence from a temporary site pending the development of the permanent campus.
The institution is expected to expand access to professional nursing education for young people in Ilaje, Ondo South and other parts of the state while contributing to the long term development of the healthcare workforce required by the expanding network of hospitals and health facilities.
Taken together, the over ₦7 billion medical equipment procurement, hospital rehabilitation and construction programme, and establishment of a nursing training institution in Ilaje demonstrate a healthcare strategy extending beyond physical buildings to equipment, personnel development, diagnostics and improved access to specialist services.
For residents of Ondo State, the ultimate test will be the timely completion of the projects, installation and commissioning of the equipment, adequate deployment of qualified medical personnel, and sustained maintenance of the facilities after they become operational.
Prince Emorioloye Owolemi
Director General
ASIWAJU MEDIA TEAM
Security Awareness and Community Intelligence
