The General Hospital in Sabongida-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area, Edo State, which has been neglected for years, will be renovated by the Ora-Ekpen Association, a sociocultural organization of Owan indigenes living abroad. The hospital has remained non-operational, forcing residents to seek medical care in far-off towns. The association has announced an initial N10 million donation for the hospital’s rehabilitation. In a statement, its National President, Desmond Alufohai, and National Secretary, Evelyn Aremu, said the funds would solve infrastructural and service shortages at the hospital.
According to the two officials, the money will be used to buy solar power panels, powerful fans for patient wards, television sets for every ward, furniture for the quarters of physicians and nurses, washing machines, and other medical equipment. The association bemoaned the hospital’s condition, claiming it was a reflection of long-term neglect, pointing to run-down structures, outdated and insufficient equipment, erratic water and energy supplies, inadequate sanitation, and acute shortages of medications and diagnostic equipment.
“These conditions have severely limited the hospital’s ability to deliver safe, effective and dignified healthcare,” the statement said.
“They compromise patient safety, weaken public confidence and place enormous physical and emotional strain on healthcare workers,” the officials said.
It emphasised the necessity of thorough rehabilitation and ongoing investment to bring the hospital back to acceptable standards, characterising the situation as a public health and social equality concern.
“It is in this context that the Ora-Ekpen Association has resolved to contribute meaningfully to the restoration of the General Hospital in Sabongida-Ora, with the goal of improving access to quality healthcare and rebuilding community trust in the facility,” the group said.
The organization praised Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, for giving the hospital a 30KVA generator, pointing out that the assistance will improve service delivery. It emphasised that protecting public health necessitates shared responsibility and urged governments, community leaders, public officials, and well-meaning people—especially Ora’s sons and daughters—to help the resurrection effort.
“Only through sustained commitment and shared action can the General Hospital in Sabongida-Ora once again serve as a centre for healing, prevention and community well-being,” the statement said.
Residents of Ora and the surrounding areas were forced to go to Auchi and Irrua for medical care after the hospital was closed by the Adams Oshiomhole administration due to its failure to complete rehabilitation. Made up of descendants of Ora people residing in the United States and Canada, the Ora-Ekpen Association USA, Inc. is a non-profit, non-political, and nonreligious organization dedicated to charitable endeavours meant to enhance the standard of living for the Ora community.
