GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI COMMISSIONS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MULTIPURPOSE HOSPITAL IN ABIA, COMMENDS FG AND SETS-UP A FACILITY MANAGEMENT TEAM TO ENSURE AND SUSTAIN STANDARD.
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti on Wednesday 3rd July, commissioned a Federal Government built and equipped multipurpose hospital in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State. The hospital with State of the art equipment was built by the Federal Government in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-3)
Speaking during the commissioning, the Governor maintained that quality, accessible and efficient health sector eco-system is a priority in his administration’s strategy to transform Abia State into a choice destination for Health tourism in Nigeria. He thanked the President, His Excellency, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his commitment to complete and deliver the hospital project in Abia. Dr. Otti reminded the gathering that his administration has demonstrated seriousness and commitment to quality healthcare delivery by allocating 15% of her 2024 budget to healthcare in line with the highly ambitious undertaking in 2001 by African Heads of States and Governments codenamed ‘The Abuja Declaration’ to encourage and challenge African leaders to allocate at least 15% of their annual budget to healthcare delivery.
Governor Otti reiterated that the Federal Government’s SDG multipurpose hospital is in sync with the cardinal objectives of his Government to guarantee access to quality healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, “So what the Federal Government has done here is consistent with the objectives of my Government and I want to thank you for also drawing our attention to some of the sustainable development goals particularly the SDG-3 which targets to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate to 70 per 100,000 by the year 2030.
Dr. Otti further stated, thus, “Our Government is deliberate, intentional and focused on healthcare delivery. It is also our intention that by the time this Government would be winding down, we would be handing over to posterity a medical village where everything needed to handle all medical cases is available”.
“Your Excellency, let me thank you for delivering this project and assure you that the State Government will take over the management like you have graciously offered us. We will provide additional land for you to build the doctors’ quarters like you have graciously requested. In the next 24 Hours, the Mayor of Ugwunagbo LGA will set-up a Facility Management Team to ensure that everything will remain standard and up and running in the facility. The facility management team will be liaising with him directly for their needs. I have already given approval, even if there are things that have not been done, we will complete them and ensure that this hospital is put to use immediately”, Governor Otti declared.
Governor Otti also ordered his Chief Security Officers to provide 24/7 security for the Hospital. He thanked the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Princess (Dr.) Adegoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, for renaming the hospital from Mother and Child Hospital to Multipurpose Hospital to accommodate the provision of care to men. He also commended her commitment in ensuring that the project was completed as some projects were started but never completed.
Earlier in her Speech, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goal, Her Excellency, Princess (Dr.) Adegoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, said that the Hospital was initially designed as Mother and Child Hospital but that she had to change it to Multipurpose Hospital to accommodate the men who also deserve quality and affordable healthcare.
“I just whispered to the Governor this Morning that I decided to change it to Multipurpose Hospital when I got to Abia State yesterday just because if it is limited to mother and child, then it means that our fathers; the men, will not have business coming to this hospital. So, the only man or men that you would see here will be doctors. Looking at this gathering, I can see many men, our fathers, that would require treatment and support which further inspired us to change the name to accommodate the men and I am sure that I have the Governor’s approval”. Dr. Orelope-Adefulire said.
Dr. Orelope-Adefulire disclosed that the cause of the delay in handing over the project to the State was due to the transition between the present administration and the last administration.
She commended Governor Otti for the great job he is doing in Abia State and urged the people to continue to support their Governor so that he will continue to do more. The Occasion was graced by the First Lady of Abia State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilia Chidinma Otti ably represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Adaeze Chidera Emetu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba PhD, the Mayors of Ugwunagbo LGA, Chief Nnosike Ihesiaba, Dr. Elelenta Nwabuisi Elelenta (Isialangwa South), Engr. Israel C. Nweke (Osisioma), Uchechukwu Nwogu (Aba South), and Chief Eric Egwuibe (Obingwa). Traditional Rulers, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Chief Executive Officer, Hospital Management Board and a host of other dignitaries came to witness the commissioning.
Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
03-07-2024
