Abiodun Atobatele, chief executive officer of ATB Group, has opened a free healthcare centre to help reduce the healthcare burden on underprivileged women in Nigeria.
The health centre named, BilikisuAtobatele Memorial Health Center, is a not-for-profit facility, which represents a beacon of hope in a country with significant healthcare challenges, particularly in the rural areas.
Speaking recently at the launch of the facility in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Abiodun Atobatele said healthcare should not be a privilege but a fundamental right for every woman in Nigeria, adding that the Health Center represents his commitment to making that vision a reality.
Atobatele said the gesture forms part of a broader vision to help improve the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
According to him, in a country ranked 142 out of 195 by the Lancet Global Health in 2018, and 42 out of 100 in the World Bank’s universal health coverage index, the pressing need for reform is evident.
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“Nigeria allocates less than 5 percent of its annual budget to health, facing obstacles such as affordability, cultural constraints, poor infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare professionals.
“Investing in women’s healthcare is an investment in the nation’s future. By addressing the unique needs of underprivileged women, we can create a stronger, healthier Nigeria,” he said, revealing that his mother, who passed away in 2013, had been a victim of an ill-equipped hospital.
Atobatele further said that the initiative has been designed to make a significant impact.
“This vision extends beyond the confines of this healthcare facility; it encapsulates my dedication to community well-being and equitable healthcare opportunities. Hopefully, we will make significant contributions towards propelling Nigeria towards a brighter future,” he said.
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He further said that the health centre, named in honour of his mother, is equipped to serve up to 5,000 patients within a year and is funded by him through his technology services company, the ATB Group.
“For the next year, we will continue to maintain the facility while also paying for staff and providing the drugs needed by all patients, free of charge,” he said.
The inauguration of the BilikisuAtobatele Memorial Health Center, which was performed by Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, Alake of Egbaland, stands as Abiodun Atobatele’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to make healthcare accessible to more Nigerians.
It embodies his belief that healthcare is a fundamental right, emphasising every woman’s right to access quality medical services.
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