In a country where churches are known to expend a huge amount of money on superficial things that are of little or no benefit to their congregants, where the Pastors and General Overseers flaunt private jets and other mundane worldly things, the Deeper Life Bible Church must be commended for its lifesaving and angelic gesture of building a modern hospital in Lagos.
The church commissioned the 10,000-bed capacity mega-facility that has Pediatrics, Psychiatry, General Out Patient, Burns, Oncology, and 15 other such departments, all stocked with the latest medical equipment is rated among the best in Africa. The best in Nigeria where medical facilities have virtually collapsed.
The Surgery section boasts of state-of-the-art equipment that rivals Johns Hopkins hospital or any of the best health care centres anywhere in the world. It would be available to all and sundry irrespective of their financial or social statuses.
The facility was commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who commended the idea and quoted several biblical verses that showed how Jesus Christ healed the sick, fed the poor, and generally looked after the welfare of thousands of poor people around him. He is excited that at least some people are thinking in the right direction and emulating their Master, the Messiah, instead of accumulating wealth that cannot travel with them to the great beyond.
The General Overseer, Pastor Kumuyi, says the facility would employ thousands of Nigerian doctors and attendant health workers graduating from the nation’s many health institutions. He also hopes this would bring a halt to brain drain resulting from doctors jetting off abroad to find greener pastures, as well as billion-naira medical tourism the elite and politicians engage in monthly.
On his part, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode showered praises on the millions of individuals who contributed to building the magnificent and well-equipped hospital, hoping others would emulate them rather than gift their money to jet-acquiring pastors littering the landscape, who in turn build mega businesses for themselves and family to enjoy, yet, they teach their followers to pray to God to solve their financial needs in return.
The mega medical facility is located in Gbagada and free to all people irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliations. It is estimated that the medical facility will see to the needs of well over 35,000 indigent people in a single year.
The facility will be maintained by further contributions from faithfuls across the country and abroad. We hope other rich religious organizations can emulate the Deeper Life’s unprecedented example.
