Enugu govt posts specialists, consultants to district hospitals

Enugu State Government has revealed that it will soon post specialists and consultants to its district hospitals to further improve health-care delivery in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Fintan Ekochin, said this after inspection of some district hospitals within the Enugu North Senatorial zone (Nsukka axis).

Ekochin toured the Enugu Ezike District Hospital, Nsukka District Hospital and on-going United Bank of African (UBA) sponsored Cottage Hospital in Nsukka GRA.

He said that the hospitals had massive structures as well as medical equipment, which would greatly assist the higher man-power and professionals to be posted to the hospitals.

“We will put in place the highest professionals especially specialists and consultants since other things needed to make the health sector work is already here.

“Today, we have seen good and tailored structures in the health facilities as well as first class equipment in them.

“Also, a workforce that is ready and willing to do the job, I have seen and interacted with today,’’ he said.

Ekochin said that some other complaints arising in the hospitals especially the issue of regular electricity power supply would be fixed soon.

“We will collaborate with the works ministry to see how we will off-set the electricity bills of the hospitals through bargaining and installment payments until the entire debts are totally cleared.

“So, the equipment that have not been functional due to no power or those that frequently breakdown due to frequent power interruption would be fixed and functional for the betterment of our people’s health,’’ he said.

He noted that the government would strengthen all district hospitals to further improve on the flagship programme of the government, which is the free maternal, nursing mothers and infant medical service.

According to him, the governor is giving great attention to healthcare especially the free maternal and infant healthcare services currently running in the state.

“We are planning on how to get the best and highest professionals to ensure that the free maternal, nursing mothers and infant continue to remain a huge success in the state,’’ he said.

On the on-going UBA-sponsored Cottage Hospital in Nsukka GRA, the commissioner thanked the organization for their corporate responsibility project meant to improve the healthcare delivery of the people.

“This cottage hospital, when completed and functional, will have a full range of medical equipment and man-power to serve its purpose and complement what Nsukka District Hospital is currently offering,’’ he said.

Earlier, Dr Anthony Agu, Chief Medical Officer in-charge of Nsukka District Hospital, thanked the state government for the equipment and drugs regularly provided to the hospital.

Agu lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the on-going ultra-modern structure meant to house more wards in the hospital.

A pregnant woman at the hospital, Mrs Veronica Ugwu, thanked the government for the free maternal, nursing mothers and infant in the hospital and entire state. ‎”I want to thank our governor for his concern and making our medical care free-of-charge for all pregnant women and nursing mother in this state. May God continue to bless him,’’ Ugwu said.

Moses Oyediran, Enugu