ABSTRACT
The provision of modern health services was a legacy of colonial administration in
Africa. Yet, little attention has been paid to the history of medical and health development
in Africa, especially Ibadan, which benefited greatly from the colonial health policy. This
study, therefore, examined the changing trends in the growth and development of colonial
medical and health services in Ibadan between 1900 and 1960 with a view to highlighting
the impact of colonial medicine in the city.
Adopting an ethnographic design, the study utilised archival and oral sources. The former
was obtained from the National Archives, Ibadan. It included Chief Secretary‟s Office
Papers, Oyo Provincial Papers, Oyo Divisional Papers, Ibadan Divisional Papers, Yoruba
News, 1924 – 1945; Daily Times, 1926 – 1960; Daily Service, 1933 – 1960 and Southern
Nigeria Defender, 1944 – 1960. The latter comprised in-depth interviews with 35 people,
ages 50 to 95, selected through a snowball approach and purposive sampling. The sample
comprised traditional healers (10), Western-trained medical doctors (6), nurses (6)
community elders (6), university lecturers (5), and civil servants (2). Data were subjected
to historical analysis.
Colonial health services in Ibadan evolved in consequence of European health needs.
These services were later extended to the local people due to the indispensability of
indigenous labour to the running of the colonial state. With the opening of Jericho
European Hospital (1900), Oranyan Dispensary (1901), Agodi Dispensary (1920) and
Adeoyo Hospital (1927), the elite demonstrated enthusiasm in hospital treatment due to
their exposure. A majority of the natives shunned medical amenities because of their
negative perception of colonial medicine. Yet, hospital patronage for treatment of
infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, yellow fever, guinea worm and non-infectious
diseases, like hernia and asthma, increased from 590 (1928) to 12,351 (1945). This
development was connected with colonial propaganda on hospital medication. The period
also witnessed vaccination campaign against smallpox and introduction of maternal and
child health services at Adeoyo, Elekuro, Aremo and Agbongbon which had positive
impact on childhood mortality. Equally, building of public latrines (148), incinerators
(50), and slaughter slabs (8) were some of the health measures carried out. However,
hundreds of people did not have access to these amenities; overcrowding with insufficient
beds, shortage of clinical personnel and drugs also characterised hospital services. This
situation provoked virulent criticism of the colonial administration by the elite. They
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY
xiv
demanded more modern health services. Colonial administration partially responded
(1946) with a Ten-Year-Medical and Health Development Plan which affected the whole
country. This situation became consolidated with the introduction of free medical services
by the Western Regional Government (1954). The opening of the University College
Hospital (1957) and the inception of Ibadan Government Chest Clinic (1959) further
enhanced expansion of health services. Yet, these facilities were largely concentrated in
the city of Ibadan. Up till 1960, medical and health services were non-existent in the
villages.
Colonial medical and health services which evolved between 1900 and 1960 occasioned a
fair improvement in the medical condition and health status of the people of Ibadan.
Therefore, colonial medicine in Ibadan was, overall, partially effective.
Key words: Colonial medical and health services, Colonial administration, Ibadan
OLUYITAN, J (2021). History Of Colonial Medical And Health Services In Ibadan 1900 – 1960. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/history-of-colonial-medical-and-health-services-in-ibadan-1900-1960-1
OLUYITAN, Julius "History Of Colonial Medical And Health Services In Ibadan 1900 – 1960" Afribary. Afribary, 12 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/history-of-colonial-medical-and-health-services-in-ibadan-1900-1960-1. Accessed 08 Nov. 2024.
OLUYITAN, Julius . "History Of Colonial Medical And Health Services In Ibadan 1900 – 1960". Afribary, Afribary, 12 Apr. 2021. Web. 08 Nov. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/history-of-colonial-medical-and-health-services-in-ibadan-1900-1960-1 >.
OLUYITAN, Julius . "History Of Colonial Medical And Health Services In Ibadan 1900 – 1960" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 08, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/history-of-colonial-medical-and-health-services-in-ibadan-1900-1960-1