The General Hospital in Sabongidda Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, has been left in a deplorable condition, with significant portions of its roof damaged and sections of the building exposed, despite Edo State receiving over ₦120.9 billion in net allocations from the Federation Account between January and July 2026.
The deteriorating condition of the government-owned healthcare facility, which serves more than 17 communities in Owan West, has prompted residents to call on Governor Monday Okpebholo to urgently intervene and address the condition of the hospital, saying the damaged roof poses a serious risk to patients and healthcare workers.
According to a report by civic technology organisation MonITNG, the General Hospital, Sabongidda Ora, is the only general hospital serving more than 17 communities in the area.
Photographs contained in the report showed extensive damage to the hospital’s roof, with sections torn open and parts of the building exposed. The photographs also showed a large opening in the ceiling, leaving portions of the interior exposed to rain and other elements.
MonITNG said the condition of the facility raises serious concerns about the safety of patients and medical workers, particularly during rainfall.
“The roof is visibly damaged, with sections torn open and parts of the building exposed. Inside, the damage is even more disturbing, with a large opening in the roof leaving patients and health workers vulnerable to rain and other elements,” the organisation stated.
Residents said the deteriorating condition of the hospital has forced some people to travel to neighbouring towns to access basic medical services that should ordinarily be available at the government-owned facility.
They also questioned why a healthcare facility serving thousands of residents has not received urgent attention from the Edo State Government.
“This is a healthcare facility that should provide safety, emergency care and hope to thousands of residents,” MonITNG said.
“Instead, people are being forced to travel to neighbouring towns to access basic medical services because their own hospital has been allowed to deteriorate.”
MonITNG called on Governor Okpebholo and the Edo State Government to explain why the facility has been allowed to deteriorate despite the state receiving substantial allocations from the Federation Account.
Public records cited by the organisation show that Edo State received about ₦120,955,871,993 in net FAAC allocation between January and July 2026.
“The people of Owan West deserve to see public resources translated into functioning hospitals, schools, roads and other essential services,” MonITNG said.
The organisation stressed that its demand for the rehabilitation of the hospital was not politically motivated, but centred on the safety and wellbeing of residents who depend on the facility for medical care.
“This should not be about politics or political endorsements. It is about human lives,” MonITNG added.
MonITNG also raised concerns about how residents would cope with medical emergencies when the hospital is allegedly not in a safe and functional condition.
“What happens when a pregnant woman needs urgent care? What happens when a child or elderly person requires emergency treatment? How far should residents travel before the government considers their lives important enough to act?” the organisation asked.
The organisation urged Governor Okpebholo to personally visit the facility and assess its condition.
“Governor Okpebholo, please visit Sabongidda Ora General Hospital. See these conditions for yourself,” MonITNG said.
“The people are not asking for luxury. They are asking for a safe, functional and properly equipped hospital.”
MonITNG subsequently demanded the immediate rehabilitation and revitalisation of the hospital, urging the Edo State Government not to ignore the photographs documenting the facility’s deteriorating condition.
“Fix and revitalize Owan West General Hospital now,” the organisation demanded.