AFE BABALOLA COMMISSIONS ABUAD’S FIRST RURAL MEDICAL CENTRE

April 11, 2017 would for ever remain a memorable day for the people of Are Ekiti, a community in Irepodun-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti state, when the first, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD)’s rural medical outpost was commissioned in the town.

It was an atmosphere heralded with cheers and jubilation in the sleepy Are Ekiti, community as the residents hailed Aare Afe Babalola for bringing the medical outpost to their community.

Various traditional musicians were at the event to add colour to the ceremony which was also the first of its kind in history of that community.

Aare Afe could not resist the urge to dance to the lyric being played by the traditional musicians who entertained the gathering and added colour to the ceremony with their display.

The Chief Of Staff to Governor Ayodele Fayose, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, who is also a son was at the event with other government functionaries, while the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Michael Ajisafe led other ABUAD team to the event.

This development is another landmark achievement recorded by Are Babalola who declared that he was dedicating the centre to the former Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University and Pioneer member of ABUAD establishment for his hardworking, commitment, and unalloyed support for the institution which within just 7 years of establishment has ranked best amongst private universities in Africa.

Speaking on the motive behind the establishment of college of Medicine in ABUAD, Afe Babalola said he established the outpost in a bid to bring quality health care delivery to the doorsteps of Ekiti people, and urged Are Ekiti community to secure the student’s and the health facilities in the overall interest of the populace.

The Provost the Provost, College of health Science and Medicine Medicine, Prof. Sanya Oluwarotimi in his address, urged residents to make themselves available to the budding doctors on training,’saying that they will take deliveries and attend to issues of maternal healthcare that are common in the rural setting.

Prof. Adekunle Kunle-Olowu, the Head of Department of Community Medicine, ABUAD said the outpost is to strengthen community medicine in the state and in the fulfillment of the requirements of medical council which makes medical outposts a pr-requisite condition for universities.

He said community medicine apart from being a prerequisite for the college of medicine, also help in inculcating the love of those living in the rural areas in the heart of the budding doctors rather than seeking greener pastures in Abuja, Lagos, Jos or abroad.

“The overall intention is to produce medical doctors of high quality in sufficient numbers to he able to meet the health needs of the people of our nation at community and hospital level”. He said.

Prof. Kunle-olowu, said that at the end of the training, students are expected to take promotional, preventive and and creative measures that can be used to identify and solve the hearth problems of individuals, families, and communities.

The traditional ruler of the town, Oba, Boluwade Adebiyi who could not hide his joy as he poured encomium on Aare Afe and his wife, Yeye Aare, Modupe Afe Babalola for the gesture, prayed God to continue to support Baba Afe and give him long life.

Alare who expressed happiness for the siting of the centre in his community assured ABUAD management of the security of the facilities and cooperation of his people with the operators.

The highly elated Orubuloye, who prostrated in appreciation of the gesture when his name was announced by Baba Afe that he was dedicating the centre to him, declared that he was overwhelmed with joy for the honour done to him and vowed never to let down the ABUAD founder, the University, and the community.

He however promised his unalloyed support and commitment more than ever before to the development of the university.