* Opens newborn special baby care unit
The Sustainable Development Multipurpose Hospital, Ugwunagbor, LGA, Abia state was built by the Federal Government under it’s Sustainable Development Goals Project of 2022 and commissioned by the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti in July 2024.
Though the health facility was a federal government project sited in Ugwunagbor local government area, it was equipped by the current Abia State government. Also, the state government provided the manpower and electricity as well as a 250 KV solar power to ensure constant power supply.
However, the hospital is grossly under utilised as a result of low patronage by the people of the area and neighbouring communities. Despite this challenge, the hospital has opened a Newborn Special Care Baby Unit. The new unit has 12 incubators and offers services such as management of birth asphyxia and neonatal sepsis, management of neonatal jaundice among others.
Worried by the challenge of under utilization, the Chief Executive of Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Odochi Amarachi Azubuike on Wednesday convened a stakeholders meeting on how to address the challenge. The meeting was attended by community leaders and health workers from Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Ugwunagbor local government areas as well as traditional birth attendants.
Address the gathering, Dr. Odochi Azubuike, a Pediatrician and an indigene of the area described the facility as one of the best equipped in the state. The HMB boss appealed to both indigenes of the area and health workers to assist in publicising the activities of the hospitals.
“After the hospital was handed over to us, it hasn’t gone down in as much as it has experienced low patronage from our people. Everyday we are working on this hospital but our inactions are not making this hospital to thrive.
“We have done all there is to do for this hospital to start up and provide effective health care services to our people and we’re here to inform you that we are ready to partner with each and every one of us here to ensure that this hospital can function optimally.
“I want to bring to your notice that if people don’t patronise this hospital, it will go down. If people don’t come to the hospital, the doctors and nurses will become redundant. I’m proud to say that this hospital is housing the most equipped and the most rebranded world class special baby care unit.
“I’m proud to tell you that the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti has functionalised the special baby care unit. This can only make sense or add value to our community if we can refer patients and tell people what’s happening here. This hospital cannot function effectively without a handshake between the primary health care and secondary health care facilities”.
Abia State Housing Commissioner, Architect Chiemela Uzoije said Governor Alex Otti is also concerned about the under utilization of the medical facility. Architect Uzoije who is an indigene of Ugwunagbor said if the people don’t patronise the hospital, it will be difficult to attract other projects in the area. The Commissioner promised free malaria treatment for the first 100 patients that visit the hospital.
Other speakers include the Chairman, Ugwunagbor Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Christopher Ajuzie, the Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Ugwunagbor, Obingwa and Osisioma federal constituency, Okey Wambu, the Mayor of Ugwunagbor local government area, Hon. Chiemela Nwagbara and health workers. They attributed the low patronage to lack of adequate information about the hospital. They appealed to the people to make use of the facility and not to patronise quacks and prayer houses.
At the end of the extensive deliberation, the stakeholders meeting convened, Dr. Odochi Azubuike promised to provide a vehicle for conveying of patients during emergencies and announced that they would soon embark on free medical treatment.
Some of the guests took a guided tour of the Sustainable Development Multipurpose Hospital.
About The Author
