THE ROLE OF QUA IBOE MISSION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOLLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, OCHADAMU, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA 1947-1967

Abstract

The main thrust of this paper is to examine the role played by the Qua Iboe mission in the development of Holley Memorial hospital from 1947 to 1967. Most of the available literatures on the Qua Iboe Mission in Igalaland delved into the advent of Qua Iboe Mission in Igalaland, its method of evangelism and the social cohesion of the Qua Iboe Mission in Igalaland. No systematic work on the Qua Iboe mission medical service in Ochadamu area of Igalaland has been carried out. The paper employs both Primary and secondary sources as methodology for this study. This paper argues that Igalaland between 1940 and 1947, was faced with the spread of epidemic diseases such as leprosy, small pox, measles and tuberculosis ravaging Igalaland leading to high mortality rate at the time. The study finds that there was cooperation between the Qua Iboe Missionaries in Igalaland and the colonial government as well as the Nigeria government which led to the growth of the Ochadamu Hospital. The study reveals that the Qua Iboe Mission contributed to the health care system in Ochadamu and also contributed to the educational development in Ochadamu area of Igalaland. The paper concludes that the Qua Iboe Mission has contributed to the development of health care system in Igalaland. Qua Iboe Mission Medical personnel were able to curtailed the spread of leprosy, small pox and measles in Igalaland. Both the government and individual should give their support to the Holley Memorial Hospital such constant power supply, good road network so that the hospital to be able to render a quality services to the people.