ANSG promises to continue upgrade of state-owned hospitals

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala, says Governor Willie Obiano has pledged to continue to upgrade all state-owned hospitals for effective and optimal performance.

Okpala said this during an unscheduled visit to Umuchu General Hospital in Aguata Local Government Area.

He noted that Governor Obiano directed that state-owned hospitals to be upgraded for optimal performance and good healthcare service delivery to Ndi Anambra.

The commissioner said that such visits to hospitals help him to monitor punctuality, professionalism and reliability of health workers.

“We left Awka around 6.30am in the morning and when we arrived here, we met the doctor in-charge and some health workers at their duty posts.

“However, with the unannounced routine visits to hospitals, I get first-hand information and work ethics of healthcare givers.

“We will continue to monitor them in order to ensure punctuality, commitment to duty by health workers.

“There is no much work to be done here but we will still do something so that this General hospital will meet the standards that we have set for state-owned hospitals,’’ he noted.

Dr. Okpala urged the doctor and health workers to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.

Doctor in-charge, Umuchu General Hospital, Dr. Kingsley Okoye, said he was happy at the surprise visit, stressing that such would allow the commissioner to see things for himself.

Dr. Okoye assured him of their continued commitment to their duties.

Meanwhile, at Achina Comprehensive Health Centre, the commissioner said the visit exposed him to challenges facing the hospital.

“I have taken note of challenges facing the hospital and I can assure you that something will be done.’’

While at Unubi Medical Complex, Nnewi South, the commissioner ascertained the level of work done by the contractor.

“I learnt that the ongoing project here is being sponsored by the community through the N20 million Community Choose Your Project initiative of the state government,’’Okpala said.

He hailed the vision of the community in handing over the facility to government when fully completed.

Dr. Okpala at Ukpor General Hospital Nnewi South said his surprise visit ascertained punctuality of doctors and health workers were at their duty posts.

He noted that his continued visits to hospitals had helped him tremendously in terms of designing and planning for intervention measures in all the hospitals so far visited.

“So, in all the hospitals visited, we observed some short comings from health workers and also took note of their challenges.’’

The commissioner, however, appealed to well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to support government efforts in the healthcare sector.

Anambra State Health Administrator, Dr. Richmond Achugbu, said the unannounced visit to hospitals by the commissioner was highly commendable because it will help him to know situation of things in the hospitals.

In attendance during the visit were Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Medical Supply and Facilities, Mrs. Jennifer Onyedikachi.