Welcome Message from Dr. Godwin A. Obute.

When I began medical practice about 3 decades ago, it appeared that the burden of healthcare delivery in Nigeria was not as heavy as it is today. The variance however is only relative. At that time, many sick people in the population simply do not visit the hospitals to receive care; there was a prevailing ignorance about causes of diseases. People fell sick and died believing that their illnesses were occasioned by some strange spiritual forces and that medical science would not offer them any reprieve.

Today, the story has changed. Though ignorance of people is still a force to be contented with by the health system in Nigeria, it is of a different dimension. Today, unlike 30 years ago; the number of the sick seeking care tragically outweighs available and accessible healthcare. In the public facilities, medical personnel are in transit and are in a ratio to the sick in a manner so disapproprate that both the patients and physicians are always dazed! There is also of course death of healthcare pending resources for many patients, leading to poor compliance with treatment and high rate of discontinued hospital attendance.

The story is not too different in many private hospitals and medical facilities across Nigeria. In many instances, especially in the rural areas, private medical practice can be best regarded as ‘mushroom’; unrefined and non-evidence based due to paucity and non-existent basic components like a laboratory. In the few high grade private hospitals and healthcare facilities, the cost of care in private is usually so exorbitant that they are the exclusive privilege of the rich and their dependants.

Where then should the average person seek medical care in Nigeria? What guarantee id there for the individual seeking care in a health facility of quality? How best can the hospitals provide efficient, effective and ethical healthcare that is affordable without lowering the flag of quality care.

About 20 years, I founded Adonai Hospital in Mararaba, Nasarawa State to provide answers to these questions. I have been fortunate to have lead the pleasure of the company of very passionate medical professionals who shared in the vision of proving quality healthcare to all categories of population groups at a cost that is affordable with a guarantee of the highest quality of care possible.

The road we have travelled has been challenging but fulfilling.

Our vision for the future is to broaden our capacity; meet more needs, continue to lower the cost of care and by so doing widening that gate of healthcare access to more people. Emphasis over the last decade has been on strengthening Adonai as a medical –technology-driven center in healthcare delivery- that is not going to change. We will continue to invest heavily also on human resource to ensure that the professional competence that has ensured our capacity to deliver quality healthcare is not compromised.