Outrage as Vandals Loot Federal Mother and Child Hospital in Ogbomoso, One Year After Commissioning

Vandals have targeted the 80-bed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Pakiotan, Ogbomoso, a federally established facility, sparking widespread outrage from community leaders and residents. The attack has intensified concerns over the safety and neglect of critical healthcare infrastructure in the region. Fully equipped with medical beds, medications, laboratory tools, and solar power systems, the hospital was designed to serve as a modern urban health centre.

Commissioned on May 27, 2023, under the initiative of former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, the hospital was handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health through the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. However, since the handover, the facility has remained idle, unprotected, and inaccessible to the community.

Speaking at the vandalised site, the Onipakiotan of Pakiotan, Oba James Oyetunji Ojo, condemned the destruction, calling it an “economic subversion” and a major blow to the area’s development. He revealed that even before commissioning, some cables were stolen and replaced by Mr. Dare. Since then, the hospital has seen no activity or security presence. The monarch reported that during a recent inspection with an aide of the former minister, they discovered that all the cables, 150 solar batteries, ceiling fans, and electrical appliances had been looted.

Oba Ojo emphasized that the community had donated eight plots of land for the hospital with the hope of improving maternal and child healthcare in Ogbomoso and surrounding areas. He urged the Ministry of Health and UCH to either commence operations without further delay or hand over control to the local community to prevent further losses.

Also expressing concern, Ogbomoso North Local Government Chairman, Ogunlade Gbadegesin, recounted how UCH officials had promised to begin operations in October 2024 following a site visit in September—yet nothing was done. He pledged that the local government would now take steps to secure the remaining assets until the hospital becomes functional.

In a similar vein, Ademola Olawale, an aide to Mr. Dare, criticized UCH’s repeated delays and failure to honour commitments, noting that the community’s trust and efforts are being undermined by continued inaction.