Benson Odidika
Awka
It was jubilation galore in Ezinifite community, Aguata
Council Area of Anambra State following reconstruction and equipping of Ajam
Community Hospital by the Council Chairman, Dr Chibueze Oforbuike.
Speaking during the commissioning, Oforbuike explained that the project was in response to the concerns raised by some members of the community over its dilapidated state.
He said his administration decided to embark on the
renovation in view of the critical nature of the facility, particularly in
providing quality health service to people of the area.
He identified the facility as part of the
private-public-community initiative as preached by Governor Chukwuma Soludo,
stressing that resources to develop the state reside with the citizens.
According to him, what his administration has simply done
was to kickstart the process that would lead to the transformation of the
hospital, calling on well-meaning members of the community to give the hospital
the facelift it deserves.
He said, “When our attention was drawn to this project and
we came here, I was amazed at the level of decay in the facility and that
motivated us to commence and complete what is being commissioned today.
“It is important to note that we didn’t just renovate a
completely dilapidated building, we also equipped it. But what we installed
inside are not enough.
“The message is for patriotic sons of Ezinifite to come home
and invest in the well-being of their people. This facility has the capacity of
being a teaching hospital in future.
“The town leadership must champion efforts at mobilizing the
required resources to get this place functional at the level it ought to.
While commissioning the male and female wards of Hospital,
Chief Medical Director, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Amaku-Awka, Dr
Maureen Umeakuewulu stressed the importance of the project, noting that its
effective functioning would help reduce maternal mortality in the area.
According to her, “Nigeria contributes significantly to the
global burden of maternal mortality and other deaths, with 80 percent of
maternal mortality recorded at home and in the grassroots.
“If the primary health centres and community hospitals are
strengthened with adequate equipment and manpower, deaths that occur before,
during and after pregnancy will be reduced drastically.”
The CMD highlighted the tripod of improved clinical
services, training of personnel and research, which her administration stands
on, noting that revitalization of the community hospital aligned with the
Teaching Hospital’s vision of creating effective referral system across the
state.
She pledged the Teaching Hospital’s commitment to partnering
with communities and individuals to get the referral centres across the state
functional.
“The Teaching Hospital will provide the necessary technical
and assistance to ensure that the facility is at its best in providing
healthcare services to the people of Ezinifite and beyond.
“Members of the community, however have a role to play to
ensure that the facility works well and personnel posted are protected.
“For hospitals such as this to function maximally, there
must be 24-hour doctor coverage to attend to emergencies. There must be power,
water, perimeter fencing, ambulance services and other services that enable
health work.
“Prof Chukwuma Soludo-led administration is doing well in
the area of health. The administration of Dr Chibueze Oforbuike has also done
noble to bring life to this facility. But, the people of Ezinifite must come
together to ensure that this facility functions optimally.
“At the teaching Hospital, this facility is one of our
referral centres and we are willing to do all we can to strengthen it for
optimum service delivery,” Umeakuewulu added.
Also speaking, a stakeholder in the community, Chief Titus
Anigbogu re-echoed the need for hi-networth citizens of Ezinifite to leave
legacies in the facility by donating towards its total revitalization.
Traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Bob Orji expressed
immense gratitude to the Council authority for embarking on the project, which
he said was at the heart of the town’s leadership.
Recalling how the facility was first built through self-help
efforts from a group in the community, the monarch expressed optimism that its
revitalization would significantly impact on his people.
He also acknowledged efforts of the COOUTH CMD towards
strengthening health systems in the state, especially in the communities,
praying God to reward her efforts.
Highpoint of the event was the enrollment of 120 persons
from the community in the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) by the
Council chairman, Dr Oforbuike.
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