Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to cater for vulnerable persons, especially the young and the elderly.
Obaseki gave the assurance when he received the management of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) who were on a courtesy visit at Government House in Benin on Friday.
The governor declared his support for the creation of a Geriatric Centre in the state, saying it would help to provide adequate care for the elderly.
He said “we will all grow old one day, and we need to think of how we will be treated when we are old.
“I support this initiative totally and we will support the setting up of a centre as it will help to spread knowledge on how to help and treat elderly people.”
The governor commended the hospital for being an integral part of the state’s health ecosystem, assuring partnership for the benefit of Edo people.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, commended the governor for promoting patients’ access to healthcare through the setting up of modern Primary Health Care centres across the state.
He said the visit was to officially invite the governor to attend a ceremony to mark the sixth year anniversary of Geriatric services in the hospital.
Obaseki said training of the Trainee Programme, as well as the Elder Friendly Hospital Initiative, would be launched during the ceremony.
He sought the state government’s support in the establishment of a Geriatric Centre in the state to enable the hospital to improve on its care for the elderly.
The chief medical director said there was a dearth of geriatricians in the country, noting that UBTH had decided to take a lead in the training of healthcare workers to take care of the elderly.