History of ola olu hospital (4)

Out-patient work

Out-patient work commenced officially on the 1st July, 1969 even though one or two patients had received treatment from the new clinic before that day. The first patient to register was Mr.Obaja of the Ministry of Lands & Surveys. He then lived on the same road with us. Our number two patient was late Mr John Fadipe. The family of Mr Oduwaiye was beaten to position three, While Alhaji.Oseni Olarewaju our landlord and Mr. Olu Opadiran of Ministry of Finance occupied position 4 and 5 respectively.

We concentrated initially on out-patient work. We had no facilities for in-patient admissions. Patients requiring such services were referred to the General Hospital llorin. In spite of our cheap consultation fee, attendance in our clinics was very poor in the beginning. We sat for hours on some days and no patients came.

I can recollect one day when we waited in the clinic from morning till night and no patients came! If there was a day discouragement dawned upon me, it was that particular occasion.

Steady progress

By the end of 1969, evidence was beginning to surface, that with dedication and determination to succeed, launching into private practice may afterall not be a suicide bid. Steadily we made progress. We had managed to equip the clinic fairly well. We had acquired some simple furniture for our residence. In the first year we established a working relationship with Philip Morris Nigeria Ltd. in Ilorin and the Nigerian Paper Mill Ltd. Jebba.

The latter assignment was the more demanding because of the distance involved. Initially I had to drive to Jebba,a distance of 70 miles from llorin twice a week after morning clinic. At Jebba.l ran two clinics in the Paper Mill before driving back to llorin to do the three to four hours evening clinic in Ola-Olu Surgery. In 1969 and 1970, it was an ordeal to do the seventy mile distance between llorin and Jebba because the road was in such a bad state. Later on, I employed a driver so that I could rest during the journey. The driver also worked as a clerk in the clinic when we did not travel out.lt was amazing how the body and mind withstood the stresses of those early days!