INTRODUCTION

HISTORY OF MISSION MEDICAL AND HEALTH MINISTRY IN NIGERIA

The history of the medical and health services in Nigeria can never be completed without a word about the part played by the various Missionary Organizations in the different parts of the Federation.

Although the real roots of medical and health care as we know it today in Nigeria are exogenous in origin, there were traditional medicine practitioners among who were the "Wombai" and the "Gozan" of Hausa Emirates and Nupes in the north and the "Babalawo" and "dibia" of the Yorubas and the Ibos in Southern Nigeria. These had existed from time immemorial and provided the earliest known form of medical care. The various exploration groups after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492 was later followed by the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the advent of licensed physicians who were known to have accompanied the slaves and that at least each slave had some sort of medical care. On the abolition of this heinous trafficking in human beings, qualified physicians and surgeons accompanied naval patrol ships. They introduced vaccinations and simple treatment especially to the people of the Niger Delta.

It is a remarkable event that two of the early explorers who introduced any form of health service into these countries were medical men. "These were Mungo Park, a Scottish doctor who on 15th July 1796 discovered the River Niger and Dr. William Balfour Baikie, another Scottish doctor who in 1854 made the first successful use of quinine in preventing the attacks of malaria fever", the disease most dreaded by the then explorers. It is also note-worthy that one of the early colonial governors who did much to improve the sanitary services of Lagos, Sir William Macgregor, was again a medical doctor.

Adequate credit must be given to the contributions made by missionary bodies to the growth of Medical work in Nigeria. Indeed they were the first to establish organized medical care in West Africa.

The role played by the various Christian Missions most especially the Baptist Mission upon bringing health and medical care to the people is significant. The missionaries were, to a great extent, the men and women who brought modern medical care to Nigeria.

Professor Keneth Dike had this to say of them in his book

"Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta"

"The men who led the great missionary movements of the time were undoubtedly inspired by genuine idealism. Only a cynic could read the journals of missionaries and explorers and remain unconvinced as to the sincerity of their motives".

Gratitude was also expressed by the late Alhaji Sir Tafawa Balewa, the first Prime minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in January 1960 when said in his speech on the motion for Independence of Nigeria in the Northern House of Assembly thus

"We are grateful to missionaries who have done so much to assist in the development of Nigeria, especially in the field of education and the provision of medical facilities for so many of our people".

By 1504 the Catholic Mission had built a hospital in Sao Tome and by the 19th Century had started medical work on the main-land. The first hospital in Nigeria was built by the Roman Catholic Mission as a result of which Abeokuta had the honour to house the Sacred Heart Hospital in 1895. It was under the charge of the Rev. Father Coquard, assisted by a small band of devoted nurses, all of them of truly Florence Nightingale stature. Among the indigenous medical population the name of Sir Francis Ibiam stands out.

Of all the Missionaries, the Catholic Church was the first to find its way into the country after Islam had wiped off any of their influence in North Africa having only Ethiopia of all African Countries that still could shelter a Christian Church. By 1605 a Jesuit Father Barreria had arrived in Benin City while Father Alvares was in Lagos. He sojourned there for seven years.

The church Missionary Society was founded in 1799 and in the century following, two thousand and three missionaries (400 of them, graduates) were sent to various countries in the World. Ninety six were medically qualified, including 14 women. Twelve of the 96 doctors were sent to West African, five of them to the Yoruba mission field in Nigeria. The first true medical missionary to work in Nigeria was thus Dr. E. C. Van Cooten who arrived in 1850. But he soon died of Malaria.

The Methodist Mission also, in the Missionary movement into the West Coasts, came on the scene and Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman arrived Ghana in 1838 before he later arrived in Abeokuta in the present day Ogun State Capital.

The Baptist Mission arrived in the 1840's under Thomas Bowen, coming to Badagry in Lagos State in 1850. He moved northwards to Ilorin but having been driven back, he decided to stay put in Ogbomosho where the first Major Baptist Hospital was built. Bowen, though not a medical man noted among other things that there were few epidemics, and cholera or plagues and that blindness from sore eyes was very common.

After the set back due to the American Civil War which led to the break away of the Southern Baptist Mission from that of the North, Medical and Church work expanded in Oyo and Ogbomoso areas. But not until 1906 was a medical doctor was appointed. He is Dr. George Green whose wife was Lydia Green. They arrived in 1907. Dr. MacClean, was appointed a dentist, and his wife joined him later. The latter was shortly afterwards posted to Shaki as "Industrial Missionary". Here, in Shaki and in Ogbomosho and Iwo later on, he became a well-known personality. He was probably the very first trained dentist in West Africa. Since his time, the Baptist mission had maintained a dental work of a high order in Nigeria. He retired in 1940.

No hospitals but dispensaries were built in Oyo, Ogbomosho and Iwo until the 25-million-dollar campaign was launched in 1912 and later 1919 by the Judson Centennial Movement in which Ogbomosho was listed for a new hospital as one of its objectives. The present Shaki Baptist Hospital was raised to standard through fund from foreign mission Board of the Southern American Baptist Convention in 1946 but the construction work in the permanent site at Ajegunle actually started in 1951.

O.P.D.

BEGINNING OF BAPTIST MEDICAL MINISTRY IN SAKI

Saki was a pagan society where deities like Ogun, Orisanla, Egungun, Sango, Ifa etc are being worshiped. In 1855 Mr. W. H. Clarke visited Saki to explore the possibility of commencing Missionary work. In 1856, Thomas Jefferson Brown the pioneer of the Baptist Mission in Yoruba land also visited Saki during the reign of Okere Ajayi Olopoeniyan.

Saki remained predominantly a pagan town with very few Muslims, who changed as a result of long journey to some parts of West Africa "until 22, November 1901 when Revd Duval brought Christianity to Saki through the American Southern Baptist Mission". He was later joined by Miss Davey, Miss Donath, Rev. and Mrs. Powell. This was during the reign of Okere Oyedokun I.

He settled and started his preaching station at a hill site" Okeboji in 1902 with the assistance of Rev. D. O. Toogun and Olaosebikan, Rev and Mrs. Duval "started a dispensary" in their home in May 1902 in order to cater for the converts. This humble beginning was later expanded to a bigger size with addition of 4 rooms that made OPD, resting room, laundry and consulting/counseling office in 1909.

In 1906-1908, the next possible step was to introduce education which began when another Baptist Missionary, Rev. E. G. MacLean joined Rev. Duval in 1906. It started as an "Industrial School" teaching carpentry and blacksmithing. "However, in 1910, the school became "a training college for pastors" the fore-runner of the present Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso and Baptist College, Iwo". The two missionary couples were later joined by Miss Mannie David, a trained nurse, in 1920. Her arrival no doubt was to boost the work of the expanding dispensary but her stay was short-lived as she returned in 1923. The industrial School/Training College was transferred to Ogbomoso in 1920 because Professor Oyerinde refused to come over to Saki and a vacuum was created but later filled with the founding of a formal school called 'Elam Girls School' in 1933. This effort yielded fruitful resulting in wining coverts who were mainly the youths. These new converts were educated and trained by the missionaries, as pastors, carpenters and ward assistants. .

This increase in population of Elam was a challenged to the missionaries because of the size of the dispensary. The need for a full-fledged hospital brought into Nigeria a trained missionary nurse, Mrs. A. C. Donath in 1936 to join the first staff Nurse, Mr. F. L. Ajao, Mrs. Donath's stay at Saki was rather short as she was transferred to Oyo, leaving only Mr. Ajao to carry on with the dispensary. Miss Amanda Tinkle, a trained nurse joined the missionary team in Saki in 1939 and changed the dispensary to a hospital.

"The arrival of Miss Amanda Tinkle in 1939 in Saki was a watershed of events among white missionaries and Nigerians who jointly and severally interceded in prayers for the growth of the dispensary to a hospital before her arrival". All these people saw the great need for a doctor in the hospital but there was no financial support.

Miss Tinkle reported later that the only hope to get a doctor was through prayer. The prayers of these dedicated missionaries and Nigerian Christian friends and staff were eventually answered at the 1945 mission board meeting when Dr. Mrs. and Rev. W.J. Richardson arrived and money was requested from the foreign Mission Board to build a modern Baptist Hospital in Saki. The money was made available in 1946, but permission to begin the building was not granted until 1951, thus eventual building of the present Baptist Hospital in its permanent site was granted until 1951".

Construction work started immediately by the building contractor-Oni and Sons of Ibadan, and it was completed towards the end of 1951, and formally dedicated and opened in May, 1952. The building of the Baptist Hospital, Saki in its permanent site was no doubt a special period when the spirit of the Lord working through the provision of some highly dedicated and selfless missionary medical personnel in Saki. Some of these chosen people who worked with Amanda Tinkle were Frances Hammett and Rev. and Dr. Mrs. J. W. Richardson as missionaries was Mr. F. L. Ajao from Ogbomoso and Miss Frances Hammett who arrived in Nigeria in December 1944 she qualified as a nurse and a medical technologist, and was a special student in anesthesia. The personnel's had many experiences and improvising equipment.

The period of 1939-52 was basically a pioneering era when sheer courage, spiritual commitment to medical ministry, and prayers nurtured the dream and as privation of these faithful servants of God. How else could one visualize the hardship faced, the emotional involvement with patients and the fear of the unknown reaction from the community if anything went wrong with patient management in those days? Notwithstanding, it was a matter of conjecture how Dr. Mrs. Richardson and Miss. Amanda Tinkle the only doctor were to successfully carry the full load of motherhood under the tasking and hazardous working condition of those years. "Dr. Jack walker came to work in the hospital just after the new building was opened. Dr. E. P. Dosher, Dr. Roy Fannoni, Dr. Jim Moseley and Dr. Tolar also joined. Mr. Leke Adejuwon, Mr. Thimothy Ogunjimi, Mr. Owoade, Mr. Olawumi, Mr. Eman Ogunjimi were the early nurses in the hospital".

The hospital was moved to the present permanent site from Elam (Okeboji) in May 1952 by Revd & Dr. Mrs. Richardson as the Medical Superintendent; Miss Amanda Tinkle was in charge of the Nursing Services. Miss Frances Hammett also opened the new site with them as the Laboratory Technician.

This period significantly stood out in the history of the Baptist Hospital, Saki because of its remarkable development and expansion in the new site.

OPD/Emergency/Pharmacy/Admin and Accounts Block

Lab/X-ray/Stores Block

Male/Female/Theatre Block

Maintenance Section

3 Residential quarters were constructed in the new site.

The trained staff complement was made up of fourteen nurses/midwives, two laboratory technicians, one chaplain and forty-nine other employees including ward aides, clerks, carpenters, tailors, X-ray technicians, janitors, washer man, gatemen and gardeners. There was also one small generator and a station wagon vehicle. It is to be noted that all medical equipment on ground was of acceptable standard for the volume of work-load for the 40 bedded hospital of that period.

More trained nurses from the Baptist Hospital, Ogbomoso who later joined Miss Amada Tinkle were Mr. D. O. Shobowale, Mr. Owoade, Mrs. D.O. Olaleye and Mr. James Olaleye.

This string of dedicated missionaries and Nigerians continued their selfless service making the hospital to grow steadily and reaching into several nooks and crannies of Oke-Ogun and Kwara State. The hospital made and is making a significant contribution to Christian work in the Saki, Igboho, Kisi, Otu, Okeho areas and Okuta Kwara State.

The Nigerian civil war, 1967-1970, however, punctuated the steady flow of missionary personnel especially doctors, leaving only Dr. Tolar to work. He also left for Ogbomoso in 1969. Similarly, Miss M.J. Tanner, the hospital administrator, left for Ibadan in 1969 and the coverage of hospital administration was from Baptist Hospital Ogbomoso. Mr. Olaleye Ige was seconded to the hospital from Ogbomoso to oversee the administration of the hospital in late 1969.

Meanwhile, all the Nigerian nurses under the leadership of Mr. T. A. Ogunjimi remained on duty to help the patients.

The government of Western Religion later agreed to release a doctor Dr. E. T. Perzyng "from the General Hospital, Oyo", to operate on weekly consultation and to perform necessary surgical operations. The Baptist Mission then provided a station wagon car to convey this doctor from Oyo on Monday/Tuesday on weekly basis. This station wagon car also served as an ambulance to carry emergencies to Oyo General Hospital or Ogbomoso Baptist Hospital.

This government doctor, Dr. E. T. Perzyng served in this capacity from September, 1969 to April, 1970.

MISS AMADA TINKLE

GROWTH OF BAPTIST MEDICAL MINISTRY IN OKE-OGUN

Miss Frances Hammett a trained Nurse who arrived in 1944 to join Miss Tinkle who arrived in 1939. Stated this in May 1977:

"I am not sure when I first heard of Shaki; I think it was early 1944, before I came the last of 1944.

My coming was financed through the Foreign Mission Board. Of the Southern Baptist Convention. For about three years, a Baptist woman from Mississippl paid my salary.

I arrived in Nigeria December 23, 1944 after being on the way since early September,

I worked in Shaki from arrival until May 1962 with the exception of almost one year in Ogbomosho and furlough years. In 1962, I went home to take care of my mother.

I grew up with the hospital, so I worked in all of the departments through the years. I was qualified as a nurse and as a medical technologist, and was a special student in anesthesia. I gave anesthetics when there was no one else".

MISS TINKLE ALSO HAD THIS TO SAY IN MAY 1977:

"For many years there was not a chaplain at the hospital, so the nurses and missionary doctors and nurses felt keenly that this was a part of their work. Miss Hattle Gardner that was associated with Elam School at one time was very helpful to us in witnessing to the patients. At one time I set aside one afternoon a week to visit in the town recent patients in the hospital. Also I made a simple teaching plan that could be used for out-patients and in-patients.

For a number of years on Sunday afternoon, I went to a Fulani Ga., near Aha; I had different people to go with me to the Ga., But Pastor Imosun went with me most, and was very good in witnessing to the Fulani's. We saw very little visible results while we were going, but we hope that we planted seed that grew in later years".

DR. MRS. RICHARDSON

Revd & Dr. Mrs. Richardson arrived in 1945. - Here what Miss Tinkle said about the couple in May 1977?

"During the said mission meeting of 1945, when Dr. Richardson was voted for to come to Shaki, not a single person voted against her coming, and this made me happy. So, I had Dr. Richardson and her husband working with me for many years. Most of the time, it was Rev. Richardson who helped us to transport patients to Ogbomosho Hospital.

I have worked with many Doctors - but I worked much longer with Dr. Richardson than any other doctor. That was how Rev. and Dr. Mrs. Richardson came to Shaki".

CHIEF DR. V.O. FATUNLA FRCS

CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR

APRIL 1970 TO DECEMBER 1997

TAKEN OVER BY NIGERIAN

All the Missionary Doctors and Nurses left in 1969 during the Civil war of 1967 - 1970. Mr. T. A. Ogunjimi, a Nurse was in charge of the centre and patients for operation were conveyed to Ogbomoso Baptist Hospital for surgery.

This proved to be very difficult until Late Chief Dr. Victor Olubi Fatunla FRCS arrived in April 1970 as the first indigenous Missionary Medical Director. He combined selfless service with fear of God and expanded the hospital from 40 bedded to a 200 bedded Hospital. Through him Chief Dr. E. R. Villaflor a Pilipino Obstetrician/Gynaecologist was appointed in 1980.

When Dr. V.O. Fatunla assumed duty, the hospital developed rapidly to the extent that it stands out as the only referral centre in Oke-Ogun area of the country. The records of activities are now the benchmark upon which medical and academic activities are gauged in Oke-Ogun area of Nigeria and beyond.

The services are comparable to all high quality Medical Practices obtainable in any Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria, Courtesy of Chief Dr. V. O. Fatunla who was also appointed as an Associate Professor of University College Hospital, Ibadan to teach surgery.

Chief Dr. T. O. Ojebode took over from him in 1998 till 9, February 2016. Prince Dr. O.S. Adekanye took over as the Chief Medical Director on 9, February 2016 and the centre has been witnessing tremendous repair refurbishment and growth. Today the Centre has the following facilities.

1. Baptist Hospital - 1902

2. Baptist School of Nursing - 1992

3. Baptist School of Midwifery - 1980

4. Baptist School of Medical Laboratory Technology - 2006

5. Baptist Medical Centre Dental Service - 1981

6. Baptist Medical Centre Secondary School - 1993

7. Baptist Nursery & Primary School - 1985

8. Baptist Medical Centre Crèche - 2000

9. Baptist Medical Centre Supermarket - 1989

10. Baptist Medical Centre School of Post Basic Nursing - 2018

11. Clinical Services

* Internal Medicine

* Surgery

* Obestertrics & Gynaeacology

* Peadiatrics

* General Practice

* Radiology/Ultrasonography

* Laboratory

* Physiotherapy

* Dental Services

12. Training Programmes

* Family Physician Training - 1976

* House Officers Training - 1975

* General Nursing Training - 1992

* Midwifery Training - 1980

* Medical Laboratory Training - 2006

* Post Basic Nursing - 2018

The centre's prospect is limitless.

The staff strength rose to a pick of 518 in 1983 with 21 qualified doctors, a pharmacist, 4 Laboratory scientists, 6 Laboratory Technicians and other Para-Medical Staffs' Then the government of Oyo State under His Excellency Chief Bola Ige was in control of the centre for the free health services of the old Oyo State Government. (Now Oyo and Osun States)

CHIEF DR. T. O. OJEBODE FWACP FM

CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR

JANUARY 1998 TO FEBRUARY 2016

BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTRE, SAKI RURAL HEALTH PROGRAMME

The Baptist Medical Centre Saki being the first health facility in Oke-Ogun Area was able to propagate the Christ healing ministry throughout the area.

Patients from all over towns and villages in Oke-Ogun area and even beyond remain the clients of the centre but now on referral basis as the centre was able to establish, hospitals at Ilero, Okeho, Okaka, Gbaabe and Okuta - Kwara State.

1. BAPTIST HOSPITAL, OKUTA KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

The Baptist Hospital Okuta was founded by the Baptist Mission in 1963 and was being run as a dispensary then.

Miss Hellen Masters a Nurse from America was the last white nurse to the centre. She handed over the hospital to the Baptist Medical Centre Saki under the leadership of Chief Dr. V. O. Fatunla in 1980. The Baptist Medical Centre, Saki had been a referral centre for Baptist Hospital, Okuta before the handing over.

Thus the management of the hospital was formally transferred to the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki in 1980.

The centre expanded the structures, renovated the building, and provided beddings, equipment, instruments and materials for the effective take off of the Baptist Hospital Okuta.

Staffing

From the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki, a doctor was always deployed to the centre for coverage, Nurses, cleaners, ward auxiliaries, drugs, instruments and materials were being provided by Baptist Medical Centre Saki.

Finances

The clinical staff received their salaries directly from Saki Baptist Medical Centre for quite some times. Saki always supported the hospital financially as it could not make its running cost and salary.

Transfer of Management Structure

In March 2000, the Kwara Baptist Conference wrote to request for the transfer of the Centre and in April 2000, a meeting of the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki with the Kwara Baptist Conference was held in Saki. At the meeting, it was resolved that the Kwara Baptist conference took over the management structure of the centre and transfer it to Baruten Baptist Association with the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki still playing referral role over the hospital.

On 4, May 2000 the management structure of the centre was finally handed over to the Kwara Baptist Conference, and all equipment, materials numbering 46 items were handed over to Kwara Baptist Conference.

An administrator was immediately appointed in person of Mr. E. O. Adedayo by the Conference and since then, Kwara Baptist Conference plays the role of the supervisor of Baptist Hospital Okuta on behalf of the Medical Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

As a result of inabilities, the hospital winded up until the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the Kwara Baptist Conference, the Batonu Association asked the Baptist Medical Centre Saki to formally annex the hospital and it was refurbishment and formally reopened on 1, November 2017 as an annex of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki by the Medical Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

PRINCE DR. O.S. ADEKANYE FWACP (FM)

CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR

FEBRUARY 2016 TILL DATE

2. BAPTIST WELFARE CLINIC, ILERO

The Baptist Medical Centre Saki is the referral centre for all hospitals in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.

As a result of influx of patients from Ilero axis of the state, the then moderator of Ifeoluwa Baptist Association, Ilero advised the Association to establish a Baptist Clinic in Ilero so that most of the patients in need of primary and secondary care from the area could be handled by the clinic.

In January 1985 the Representative of Ifeoluwa Association met with the Chief Medical Director of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki, and Chief Dr. V.O. Fatunla - who was the Associational Adviser then to discuss the establishment of a clinic at Ilero.

A befitting building, with sufficient spaces for packing was sought by the Association. Beddings, furniture, drugs, materials and instruments were provided by the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki and the Baptist Health Centre Ilero was opened as an annex of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki on 15, April 1985.

Staffing

Being an annex of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki by status, the centre provided the staffing coverage of Doctor, Staff Nurses, Laboratory Attendant, X-ray Attendant, Laundry staff, Ward Aids, and the security network. All equipment, instruments and materials were supplied by Baptist Medical Centre, Saki.

Income

Income of the clinic was being paid directly into a Bank in Ilero from where salaries are paid, through monthly voucher prepared by the Accounts department of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki. Drugs and supplies are always collected from Baptist Medical Centre, Saki. BMC, Saki always augment income from the centre as the income was always insufficient to offset cost of running, and employees' emolument.

As a result of this, the centre could hardly make up to 10% of its running cost and salary and the centre was being financed nearly 100% by the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki.

Management Structure

Today the clinic has a Management team of seven members comprising the Medical Officer in charge, the senior staff nurse in charge and other five members nominated by the Association

This Management team is responsible for the day to day ruining of the clinic.

The Baptist Medical Centre, Saki plays referral roles upon all activities of the centre. The hospital was granted autonomy on 27, March 2000.

3. BAPTIST WELFARE CLINIC, OKEHO

Sequel to the advice of Chief Dr. V. O. Fatunla at the Oyo West Conference held at Ago-Are in August 1984, a meeting of Okeho Baptist Association with Chief Dr. V. O. Fatunla was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church Okeho in January 1985. At the meeting, a committee was set up to work upon the establishment of a clinic at Okeho.

The Baptist Health Centre Okeho was founded as an annex of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki on 12, July 1986.

Facilities

The building of the centre was provided by the Okeho Baptist Association. All other facilities including the beds, the theatre instruments, furniture, and X-ray machine were provided by the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki. The staff needs including doctor and nurses were catered for by Baptist Medical Centre, Saki.

Income

An account was opened for the centre at Okeho where daily sale was being deposited. The account caters for running cost and salary of staff which was being augmented by the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki because the centre could not make its expenditures. Drugs and other necessities were also being supplied from Saki.

Autonomy

After a lot of verbal agitations for autonomy, the Okeho Baptist Association on 20, August 1998 wrote a formal letter requesting for Autonomy for the centre.

The letter was signed by 26 concerned Baptist including 12 Baptist Pastors from the area

On 2, October 1998, Baptist Medical Centre, Saki replied the letter stating that 20, August 1998 letter was receiving attention.

On 15, June 1999, another letter requesting for Autonomy for the centre and signed by the Associational Moderator and Secretary was received by Baptist Medical Centre, Saki.

On 31, August 1999, the Baptist Medical Centre, Saki management held a meeting with the representatives of Okeho Association on the issue of Autonomy.

On 31, December 2003, Okeho Baptist Health Centre was granted autonomy, and the Management structure, equipment, instruments and materials at the centre were handed over to Okeho Baptist Association by Baptist Medical Centre, Saki.

Management Structure

Today the centre is being managed by a management team comprising the Medical Doctor in Charge, the most senior Nurse and five others form the Baptist Association.

The Medical Officer in charge chairs the management meeting

4. BAPTIST HEALTH CENTRE OKAKA

The Baptist Medical Centre Saki established the Baptist Health Centre Okaka on 16, August 1990.

The centre remained the proprietor of the health centre till August 2007 when the Baptist Church at Okaka sought for autonomy for the clinic and it was granted.

The clinic is now defunct.

5. BAPTIST HEALTH CENTRE GBAABE

This was established by the Baptist Medical Centre Saki on 2, February 1987.

3 orphans were adopted at Gbaabe by the hospital. The orphans adopted the surname "Fatunla" who fathered them and allowed them to live under the same roof with him.

2 of the orphans today are professionals in various fields of endeavour courtesy of Chief Dr. V.O. Faunla.

However, it is unfortunate that the centre is now defunct as a result of very low patronage and activities of quacks who eventually invaded the village.

TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

1. POSTGRADUATE

Postgraduate training of the West African College of Physician commenced in the centre in 1976 and National Postgraduate Medical College Stated in 1980 through the efforts of the first indigenous Medical Director Chief Dr. V. O. Fatunla, who as a Associate Professor at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The Centre has produced several consultants in Family Medicine since the inception of the programmes.

2. SCHOOL OF MIDWIFERY

The School of Basic Midwifery, Baptist Medical Centre, Saki was established in March 1980

The School started full post basic training programme in the year 1991

The Basic Midwifery was eventually stopped in September 1992 for post basic training.

Trend of intake of students to the school

The school at inception had 44 of students on roll and when the 3arms were fully admitted in September 1982, the student's enrolment was 132 with 3 midwife tutors including the principal of the school and a number of visiting lecturers for specialized courses.

The school maintained enrolment of not less than 100students until the intention to change the Basic Midwifery to Post Basic was reached by the hospital management.

Post Basic Midwifery fully took off in 1991, with 33 students.

3. BAPTIST SCHOOL OF BASIC AND POST BASIC NURSING

Baptist School of Nursing, Saki is a reputable health institution that was established in the year 1992 and Post Basic Nursing in 2018. The school being a missionary health institution has a philosophy of training God fearing Christian nurses who are turned out into the labour market having satisfied the requirements for the award of Registered Nurses Certificate as stipulated by the Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

The Baptist School of Nursing Saki is an arm of Nigeria Baptist Convention, running hospital based general Nursing training and it is therefore situated within Baptist Medical Centre Saki, in the Northern part of Oyo State.

The school always participates in local, State and National co-curricular and extracurricular activities as contained in the curriculum designed by the Regulatory Body of Nursing Profession in the country i.e Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

Baptist School of Nursing, Saki, Oyo State has also made indelible mark on the sands of time with outstanding, laudable performances by her students in major National competitions such as emerging as the overall winner (Best Essayist) in National Florence Nightingale Competition in 2010.

The school conducts creditable admission exercise for 'prospective nurses' with high sense of objectivity and the successful candidates usually resume for academic experiences in October which is usually the beginning of the school academic calendar.

The overall activities of the school include:

* Admission/selection exercise

Prospective candidates are expected to possess minimum of 5 credits O level including mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

For Post Basic Admission, above requirements with Registered Basic Midwifery Certificate awarded by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria

Candidates have the opportunity of purchasing the entrance application forms from both Baptist building, Oke-Bola, Ibadan and Baptist Medical Centre, Saki at affordable price between January and May of every year.

* Orientation Exercise For New Intake

The school usually organizes orientation programmes for the newly admitted students in order to enhance their familiarization to the new academic environment.

* Medical Examination, fitness & Certification

All newly admitted students are also subjected to various medical assessments to determine level of fitness and certification.

* Capping & Jacketing Ceremony

The successful students that emerged from the weeding examination following the academic experiences of the first 6 months in school are usually presented for capping (Female students) and Jacketing (Male students) ceremony that depicts matriculation ceremony into the institution.

* Indexing of Newly Admitted Students

All the successful students that emerge from the first 6 month examination are usually entered into the registration book of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

* Participation in Curricular and Extra Curricular Activities

The school always participates in the Annual National Florence Nightingale Speech contest together with other educational programmes both within and outside Oyo State. The school has also been participating actively in Nigeria Schools of Nursing and Midwifery Games (NISONMG) and Oyo State Tertiary Institutions Game (OYSTIGA)

* Deployment of student nurses into the rural areas to enhance community development

The school usually deploys all students in 200 levels into the rural communities to reinforce and enhance knowledge acquired theoretically in Primary Health Care. Students of the institution normally engage themselves in community development programmes such as Health Education concerning prevailing health problems. Community Mobilization, Ante natal Care, Child Immunization etc.

* Organizing Educationally Oriented Programmes In Commemoration Of Notable International Day Celebration

The school is also involved in organizing educational programmes in commemorating international day celebrations such as "World Health day", 'World Asthma Day', 'World No Tobacco Day' 'World HIV/AIDS Day', International Nurses day' 'World Food Day' etc.

This enables the students to get acquainted with notable events on the global scene.

* Presentation of Final Year Students for Nursing & Midwifery Council Final Qualifying Examination

The school usually presents year 3 students for nursing and midwifery council examination in November and Subsequent Resit in May.

5. SCHOOL OF MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

The School was established in August 2006 with the aim of tackling the dearth of middle level Medical Laboratory Science Personnel's prevailing in the State, most especially Oke-Ogun Area of the State.

The first accreditation team came up in October 2006 and the school was awarded a provisional accreditation.

Philosophy of the School

The Baptist School of Medical Laboratory Technology is a school where proficient Medical Laboratory Technician are trained for the sustenance of health care delivery for humanity centering on learning, research, diagnoses, care as well as the display, celebration and preaching of the extension of Christ love, peace, joy, orderliness and sterling moral qualities.

Vision of the School

The school shall:

a) Admit able bodied, agile, sound minded qualified secondary school leavers, train their minds physique and mental capabilities in the art of Medical Laboratory Profession for a duration of 36months and get qualified as a Medical Laboratory Technician after success in the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria qualifying examination for Technician.

b) Their social, spiritual, academic, moral, and interpersonal relationships are positively influenced to enhance sterling and excellence in all life situations.

c) Efficiency, effectiveness, commitment and loyalty to Medical Laboratory Profession are inculcated to make them ready for challenges which may emanate from the institution the society. The Government, the religion etc.

Specific Objectives

i. To support the work of Medical Laboratory Scientists

ii. To be able to efficiently collect samples and also assist in sample processing

iii. To perform and interpret basic quality control procedures.

iv. To demonstrate sound work ethics in interactions with patients, co-workers and other personnel.

v. To recognize normal and abnormal test samples and take necessary action

vi. To effectively address the rainy needs of our society in the area of Medical Laboratory services within the limit of Technician Practice.

Academic Regulations & Students' Course Evaluation

The school have students' handbook that spells out academic regulations which include 75% attendance before writing examinations. Students courses are evaluated by a combination of 30% continuous assessment and 70% end of semester examination including practical examination. Marking schemes are also available for the determination of standard and quality. More also, suitability examinations are conducted for the final year students before presenting the successful ones for the final council examination.

Memorandum of Understanding

The school have memorandum of understanding with the following establishments:

(a) Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso

(b) Oyo State Hospital Management Board

Up till October 2018 the school has graduated a total of 1,200 middle level man power laboratory technicians

WORKS CITED

* Iwe Itan Saki by Rev. S. O. Bada - Third Edition 1973

* The History of Saki by Justice A. Kolajo 2012

* Review of 25th Anniversary of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki May 1952

* History of Baptist Medical Centre, Saki May 1952 - 2002 by Mr. Olaleye Ige