Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday inaugurated the Children’s Specialist Hospital built by the Abba Government.
Speaking during the event in Umuahia, Ayu commended Abia government for evolving a laudable project that would transform the health sector.
He noted that governors on the platform of the party had made the country proud adding that Ikpeazu was not an exemption as he had continually delivering democracy dividends to the people of Abia.
In his speech, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia said that the project was part of the government’s efforts to address infant and maternal mortality.
Ikpeazu said that the decision to build a children’s specialist hospital was informed by the state government ‘s resolve to improve on healthcare delivery.
The governor said that government was keen on building an edifice where the healthcare needs of person within the age bracket of 0-18years would be effectively handled.
He said that the hospital had been equipped with state of the art facilities.
“What you see here is the last appendage of our health care delivery plan; which is to improve on health outcomes, calculated by time tested indices like infant and maternal mortality as well as life expectancy.
“My challenge in Abia is to ensure that by the time I leave office in 2023, life expectancy for Abians will be higher than the national average.
“In crafting or pursuing this vision, we saw that the best strategy was to capture the vulnerable groups, the geriatrics, those that are 70 years and above as well as the mother and child,” he said.
Ikpeazu said that every child had the right to live, and added that it remains the responsibility of the government to give every child in Abia, an opportunity and a fair chance to live.
He said that the hospital was fully funded by the state government; and called on people of Abia to lend their technical collaborations and expertise to enable the government to fully achieve the objectives of the project.
“The resources for this hospital today is provided by Abia State Government but technical support today and in the days ahead will be provided by Abians in Diaspora”, Ikpeazu said.
He said that the hospital was also named “AnnaMarie Jackson Medical Center” which was in recognition of the efforts of the medical doctor that facilitated the importation of the medical equipments that was used to establish the facility.
Earlier, Dr Joe Osuji, the Commissioner for Health, said that the state government was committed to providing adequate affordable and accessible health care system for the people of Abia.
Osuji said that this was evident in the numerous health initiatives of the government.
Osuji said that the facility would serve as a training institution for medical and nursing interns that were interested in specialising in paediatrics and child health.
Also, Dr Ngozi Erondu, the Director General of Abia State Diaspora Commission, said that the facility was specially built to cater for the needs of children.
Erondu said that the dream of having a children’s hospital in the state became a reality four years later in spite of the challenges faced and would be staffed by well trained professionals in the area of child care.
The Project Consultant, Dr Edith Ugboaja, said that the facility had been equipped with Hitech equipment to enhance accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of diseases that were prevalent in the area.
She said: “The biggest advantage of a children’s hospital is that patient care approach is tailored to meet the healthcare needs of this population as well as the emotional and psychological needs of their parents and caregivers.”
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