By Dipo Olowookere
A new lease of life has been injected into Ebute Metta Health Centre, Lagos, following the renovation of the female and children’s wards by Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc as part of its corporate social investment objectives. The facility was commissioned on Monday, February 6, 2017.
The hospital, which was commissioned in 1964 and later upgraded to a comprehensive health centre, has become a major medical tourism centre in Lagos mainland handling an estimated two million patients yearly.
The upsurge in the demand has consequently over-stretched the facilities and resources, prompting the need for a comprehensive facelift.
The renovation, which has created a refreshing ambience around the hospital, involved the revamping and painting of the female and paediatric wards, provision of water supply infrastructure, and construction of toilets for staff and patients, and installation of air-conditioning units in various offices.
While handing over the facility, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Mr Eric Fajemisin, said the project complements the efforts of government to provide requisite infrastructure and facilities to benefit communities.
“We are very happy to contribute our little quota to building projects and amenities that address the needs of society, in the same way that our business is designed to help Nigeria achieve her developmental objectives,” he stated.
Mr Fajemisin, who was represented by the Executive Director, Investments, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Mr Dele Sotubo, said the group undertook to renovate the facility in recognition of the correlation between a healthy society and a wealthy society.
Good healthcare, he stated, translates to economic wellbeing because a productive person or populace is a product of good health. And the outcome is a better future for everyone, Fajemisin added.
Medical Director of the centre, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, in his welcome address, commended Stanbic IBTC for its support, describing the gesture as being in tandem with the state government’s modernization initiative to upgrade facilities and infrastructure across the state.
“We are thankful to the management and staff of Stanbic IBTC for this exemplary gesture,” he said. “I am aware that one of the greatest infrastructural challenges in this country is maintenance. I can promise you that the two wards and all equipment provided will be very well maintained and preserved and you will definitely be pleased whenever you visit again.”
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC is a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management.
Stanbic IBTC belongs to the Standard Bank Group, the largest African financial institution by assets. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 countries on the African continent.
Standard Bank is focused on building first-class, on-the-ground financial services institutions in chosen countries in Africa; and connecting selected emerging markets to Africa by applying sector expertise, particularly in natural resources, power and infrastructure.
