The Kwara State Government has commenced moves to restore healthcare services at the Igbaja Cottage Hospital, which was temporarily closed following security concerns in the area.

The development followed discussions involving the management of the Kwara State Hospitals Management Board (KW-HMB), community leaders and elders, hospital staff and relevant security agencies on measures to ensure the safe reopening of the facility.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Abdulraheem Malik, said the government recognised the importance of the hospital to residents of Igbaja and neighbouring communities.

Malik said the safety of healthcare workers and patients remained the government’s priority, stressing that the board was working with stakeholders to determine the safest and most appropriate approach to resuming services.

"The safety of our healthcare workers and patients remains a top priority. At the same time, we recognise the critical role the Cottage Hospital plays in meeting the healthcare needs of Igbaja and surrounding communities," he said.

He explained that the temporary suspension of services was a precautionary measure in response to security concerns in the area.

According to him, the board would continue to engage community leaders, hospital staff and security agencies as the assessment progresses.

Malik assured residents that the government remained committed to restoring healthcare services as soon as the necessary safety conditions were established.

He reiterated that the board would not compromise the protection of healthcare workers and patients in its efforts to reopen the facility.

The Director of Medical Services and Training, Dr Joseph Femi, said the collaborative approach would facilitate the safe resumption of healthcare services while ensuring adequate protection for healthcare workers and patients.

Femi stressed that the involvement of the community and security agencies was essential to creating a safe and conducive environment for healthcare delivery at the facility.

An Igbaja community elder, Elder Olaita Oyin-Zubair, commended the KW-HMB management and healthcare workers for their dedication and professionalism.

He assured the board that the community would work with relevant authorities to provide a safe and conducive environment for healthcare delivery.

Also speaking, a former Special Adviser on Media to the Kwara State Governor, Bashir Adigun, welcomed the initiative, saying collaboration among the KW-HMB, community leaders, hospital staff and security agencies would help facilitate the safe restoration of healthcare services.

Adigun said the approach would enable residents of Igbaja and surrounding communities to regain access to essential healthcare services without compromising the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

The KW-HMB management reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to restore essential healthcare services to Igbaja and neighbouring communities while prioritising security at the facility.