The Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Obalanlege, has raised concerns over the lack of adequate healthcare facilities in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, revealing that a single general hospital serves the over two million residents of the area.
The monarch described the situation as a form of marginalisation, noting that the only government-owned hospital, which started as a small cottage hospital before being upgraded, remains inadequate for the large population.
Over-reliance on Private Hospitals
Obalanlege lamented that due to the absence of sufficient government healthcare facilities, residents heavily depend on private hospitals, which are often expensive and beyond the reach of many.
“In this local government, there is only one government hospital, yet our population is larger than that of Yewa and Egba combined. How can one general hospital cater to such a massive population? We have been sidelined in terms of government presence and infrastructure,” he said.
The monarch, who also serves as the chairman of the Awori Obas Forum, expressed disappointment that there are no state agencies or government institutions within the local government, making access to public healthcare even more difficult.
Call for More Local Governments and Infrastructure
Obalanlege also urged the government to create additional local governments in the area to ensure better representation and development.
“When elections come up, our voting population surpasses the entire Yewa land. We are demanding the creation of 14 local governments because we are confident they would be self-sustaining and not dependent on the government for funding,” he added.
He further stressed that increased representation would attract more government projects, including healthcare facilities, schools, and improved infrastructure.
Neglect Despite Political Representation
The monarch also expressed frustration over the lack of development in the local government, despite the fact that the state’s deputy governor hails from the area.
“The presence of a deputy governor from this region has not changed our situation. We remain severely marginalised, as evident in the lack of development and basic amenities,” he said.
Community Leaders Demand Urgent Action
Echoing the monarch’s concerns, a community leader, Oluwanifemi Adenuga, called on the government to act swiftly in providing affordable and accessible healthcare.
“We are forced to pay exorbitant fees for private healthcare because government facilities are insufficient. The authorities must prioritise the construction of more hospitals and expand public services to cater to our growing population,” Adenuga urged.
For years, residents of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government have complained about the lack of essential services, including healthcare, schools, and roads. As private institutions continue to dominate the landscape, many struggle to afford critical services, further worsening the socioeconomic divide in the area.
With increasing pressure from community leaders and residents, the state government faces mounting calls to address the health infrastructure gap, ensuring that all citizens have equal access to quality healthcare.
