The Acting Chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board (HMB), Dr. N.O. Akeredolu, has alleged that revenues generated by government-owned hospitals in Ondo State were being embezzled before his appointment, saying his administration has since introduced measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the funds.
Dr. Akeredolu, who succeeded Dr. Ategbole as Acting Chairman of the Board, made the remarks while responding to criticisms over the funding and administration of state-owned hospitals.
According to him, the challenge confronting the hospitals was not the absence of budgetary allocations but the diversion of internally generated revenue.
“You are not a wise man. The hospitals generate money that was being embezzled by a few individuals before my appointment. What we did was to ensure the money was properly channelled for the right purposes. You don’t need any budget for that,” he said.
The Acting HMB Chairman also took a swipe at the administration of the late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, alleging that the state’s health sector deteriorated under his leadership.
“No, Aketi killed the health sector in Ondo State and Aiyedatiwa is currently reviving it,” he stated.
The comments have sparked fresh debate over the state of healthcare delivery in Ondo State. As of the time of filing this report, neither Dr. Ategbole nor representatives of the immediate past administration had responded to the allegations made by the Acting HMB Chairman.
