The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N592.27 million for the procurement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment for the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria.
Minister of State, Health, Ekumankama Joseph, briefed State House correspondents on the approval made during the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The Minister explained that the procurement became necessary, following poor services to patients suffering from ailments requiring thorough diagnosis.
The FEC therefore, approved the purchase of the more modern single unit 1.5 MRI equipment to replace the obsolete one of 0.2 standard in use at the hospital, he said.
Joseph is optimistic that upon delivery and installation of the equipment, patients who go through pains traveling to access better health services will stay back and access them at their leisure.
His words: “You may not be aware that the University hospital has only one 0.2 Tesla MRI equipment, which is no longer up to standard when you compare it with the advanced technology.
“That has made the availability of 1.5 MRI equipment for diagnostic services in most hospitals, both within and outside the country.
“So we have been having challenges of giving the very best of health services to people, patients who come to the hospital for diagnostic services and treatment.
“So, today FEC in its wisdom approved for procurement and supply of one unit A 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine, and other accessories for the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife in favour of messrs CG Gasta Company Limited in the sum of N592,271,792.48k this is inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a delivery period of six months.
“With the procurement of this equipment, it is strongly believed that most patients that usually travel to Lagos or other surrounding environment close to Ile-Ife, to seek for better medical services, will now be able to have the comfort and leisure of staying back in Ife to get the medical services they need in terms of diagnosis and treatment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital.
“So we thank the Council for the privilege of receiving this kind of approval which will go a long way to strengthen the health services at the University Teaching Hospital.”
