‘Aro Psychiatric Hospital Ranks Among The Best, Despite Challenges’

The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun state appears unruffled and ranked the best in the country, despite the challenges militating against tertiary health institutions in Nigeria,

Going by the giant fence and the massive entrance gate that make it outbound to anyone who has no business with the hospital, a passerby would know little or nothing about the hospital beyond its signboard.

The atmosphere at the hospital on Thursday, when The Guardian visited showed all was well with the health institution as the tranquil environment within the hospital gives out as a place where noise is not needed.

The situation shows that the hospital management takes as priority the welfare and hygiene of the staff and the patients.

A member of the hospital management and ethics committee, who preferred anonymity, said the hospital may not be what it should be, but it ranks the best compare to other hospitals.

He said, “Aro may not be what it should be in terms of the staff expectation, but it is still the best among the lot. For three years in a row, we have been rated as and remain the best hospital in Nigeria, and one of best in Africa in our field. The facts are there and they speak for themselves.

“As a staff of the hospital, there is no denial of the fact that some things in the hospital are not what they should be because I’m a member of the hospital management team and the ethics committee, and I know why those things are not.

According to him, in Nigeria, as far as government hospital is concerned, Aro is the best people can get, stressing that even the staff and the patients attest to the fact.
Though, they (staff) may not be as happy as they should be, but compared to staff of other hospitals in the country, Aro rremains the best.

“If you talk to any staff of the Aro, they will tell you that what they are unhappy about are those things that are not within the powers of the hospital management, but things that are general. For example salary; someone who is not a doctor will tell you that they should be paid more. Compared to most other hospitals, Aro pays regularly.

“Before the Federal Government’s directive on the centralisation of all government agencies/parastatals accounts, when we manage what we generate, staffs were paid latest on the 28th of every month. Even with the new policy, Aro staffs get their salaries latest by the 1st of the new month. For example, last month (August) salary was paid on the 1st of September, and that is the worst you can get compared to other institutions.

“We have been ranked the best hospital in Nigeria, 6th among the 100 best in Africa and No. 2091 in the world due to our qualitative and innovative primary, secondary and specialised hospital and community based health services, as well as training and research.