By Emmanuel Jonathan
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Wednesday inaugurated a newly constructed Type 3/General Hospital at Ogbede in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.
The Hospital is one of the seven Type 3/General Hospitals currently under construction by the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi’s administration across the state that the construction commenced at the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Stakeholders present at the event includes the former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof Mallachy Okwueze, President General Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugu Chidi Aro, Former House of Reps Member, Hon. Princess Stella Ngwu and husband, General Manager, Enugu State Transport Company, Chief Bob Itanyi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport, Chief Ogbonna Idike among other notable personalities.
In a brief remarks before inaugurating the newly constructed health facility, Gov. Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof Simon Ortuanya, commended the people of Igbo-Etiti for providing the enabling environment and support that led them to being the first to complete the construction of their own hospital ahead of the other six LGAs in the state with similar projects.
Ugwuanyi said that the state government was pursuing the upgrading of the General Hospital into a Federal Medical Center to address the age long challenge of lack of a federal Government owned medical facility in Enugu North Senatorial Zone of the state.
He said, “Because health occupies a primary position in the affairs of our governance in the state, we are budgeting so much money in the area of health to ensure that our people access quality and affordable health care across the state. We are working to ensure that our people have the best Medicare that is obtainable in any part of the world.
“We have recently built and renovated several hospitals across the state and of particular mention in Enugu North Senatorial Zone is the renovation of the General Hospital in Nsukka Local Government, General Hospital Igbo-Eze North ongoing construction of General Hospitals in Igbo-Eze South, Udenu and Uzo-Uwani LGAs.
“At the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we set up isolation centres in ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Nsukka and at the Diagnostic Centre, Enugu. Today we are building a special disease hospital at the site of the former Colliery Hospital Enugu. We also have plans of building more hospitals across the rural communities of the state to ensure safety of our pregnant mothers and their children.
“I therefore urge us to protect government facilities situated in our domains to avoid cases of destruction and vandalism. We must make sure that there is adequate security so that when our people are sick they can be able to access the health facilities for their treatments.”
Earlier, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, commended Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration for delivering the befitting General Hospital Project in such a speedy manner to address the age long challenge of inadequate healthcare facility the people have been experiencing.
Nwodo said that the people of Igbo-Etiti are grateful to the governor for writing his name in the hearts of the people of the area with the construction of the health facility adding that they would support the state government’s efforts to upgrade the General Hospital to a Federal Medical Centre.
“We the host community (Owelle-Amakofia) of the newly constructed General hospital, Ogbede however appeal that that our sons and daughters that have studied medical/health related programmes should be primarily considered for employment in working here. It will go a long way to encourage our contributions towards the success of this project.”
Also Speaking, House of Reps member representing Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency, Dr. Martin Oke, said that as the Deputy Chairman of House of Reps Committee of Health, he will along with his committee members seek the legislative backing of having the General Hospital upgraded to a Federal Medical Centre.
The two State House of Assembly members, representing Igbo-Etiti State Constituencies, Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani and Rt. Hon. James Akadu, thanked the Governor for doing them proud with the construction of the General Hospital promising that they would continue to support his administration’s efforts to give quality developmental programmes to the people.
The State Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, while giving a brief intro on the facilities inside the hospital facility, said that it was built to meet up with international best standard of hospitals of this nature.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Barr. Mrs. Nkechi Ugwu-Oju, commended the Governor for the many projects he has constructed in Igbo-Etiti LGA since he assumed office adding that his plans to upgrade the newly constructed General Hospital to a Federal Medical Centre would be greatly appreciated by the people of the area if actualized.
According to Ugwu-Uju, “While we cannot thank you enough for these outstanding achievements, permit me to further request that since you have built and equipped this hospital with most of the needed equipment and furniture, all that is required for this lifeline project to swing into full operation is to have it staffed by Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Administrators, Lab Scientists, and other relevant staff needed in a health institution of this magnitude.
The high point of the event was the cutting of a tape to inaugurate the General Hospital by the Governor alongside the top government functionaries and stakeholders of the council area present at the occasion.
