The Editor
Some residents of Anaku community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, have hailed the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for constructing a befitting general hospital in the community.
The residents who spoke to journalists during an inspection tour of the newly-constructed ‘Solution General Hospital’ at Anaku, said before the hospital was constructed, they had difficulty accessing healthcare, describing it as ‘a daily struggle’.
The facility tour was undertaken by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, on Thursday,
Obidike explained that the purpose of the media tour was to brief Anambra residents on the true position behind the governor’s efforts in reviving the health sector, and to dispel the rumours by those trying to discredit the achievements of the state governor.
The commissioner listed the five newly-constructed general hospitals to include the Okpoko General Hospital in Ogbaru Local Government Area; Solution Specialist Hospital, Fegge in Onitsha South Local Government Area; Solution Rehabilitation Centre, Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area; Ekwulobia General Hospital in Aguata Local Government Area and Solution General Hospital, Anaku in Ayamelum Local Government Area.
According to him, the governor also rehabilitated several other hospitals including Umueri General Hospital in Anambra East Local Government Area, Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital in Njikoka Local Government Area, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University’s Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka, among others, as part of measures to improve healthcare delivery and bring healthcare services closer to the people.
He said these facilities built in local government areas that previously had none are functioning optimally with 24-hour solar-powered electricity, with free ante-natal care and free child deliveries as well as other surgeries taken place free of charge.
Also speaking to journalists at Anaku General Hospital, the President-General of the community, Paul Nwauba, commended Soludo for building the hospital, which he said is fully functional and bubbling with activity and saving lives.
Nwauba apologised to the state government over the unfounded claims made by some political elements who alleged that nothing was happening in the hospital, a rumour that recently trended on social media, assuring that the community would investigate the matter thoroughly.
“For the people of Ayamelum, the new hospital is a beacon of hope and healing after years of neglect. We are grateful to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for this facility,” Nwauba said.
He added that the community had pledged to take ownership of the hospital by protecting it and ensuring its proper maintenance.
At the hospital, over four free surgery and free child delivery were carried out courtesy of the state government’s free ante-natal and delivery services.
Some other residents, who spoke to journalists during the inspection tour of newly constructed Solution General Hospital at Anaku in Ayamelum LGA, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike.
Mrs Nneka Okafor, a farmer from Umumbo community, recounted losing a relative during childbirth because they could not reach a hospital in time.
“We used to travel several miles by motorcycle just to get medical help at Umueri. Sometimes, people died on the way.
“My co-wife went into labour one night, and before we could find a motorcycle to take her to the general hospital in Umueri, she passed away. I can never forget that loss.
“Now, we have a hospital right here in our community. That alone gives us peace of mind,” she said.
Another resident, Pa Anthony Onochie, said for decades, the people of Ayamelum lived in fear each time sickness struck as access to healthcare was a daily struggle.
Mrs Ebere Onuchukwu, a mother of three from Omasi community in Ayamelum, said the new hospital would help save lives, especially those of women and children.
“We lost my sister on the pothole-ridden road to Otuocha while she was in labour. She bled to death before we got to the hospital.
“Before now, childbirth was a huge risk. With this new hospital now functioning, we can at least hope for safe deliveries,” she said.
Pa John Ejimofor said the new hospital had restored the dignity of the people of Ayamelum.
“For the first time, our children will be born in a proper hospital within our own land. I am 72 years old, and I never thought I would live to see a government hospital in this community,” he said.
For Mr Chukwudi Nwafor, a commercial motorcyclist in the area, the hospital has also eased financial burdens on families.
“We used to spend over N10,000 just to transport a sick person to another town. Now, with this new hospital, that money can be used for treatment and drugs,” he said.
The youth leader in Anaku, Mr Christopher Obiorah, said his father and seven others underwent successful hernia surgeries free of charge after the hospital was inaugurated on Oct. 23.
According to him, the hospital will drive development in the area.
The health workers were seen attending to patients at the hospital, which provides maternal and child care, essential drugs, emergency services, laboratory tests, eye care, surgeries and immunisation.
