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The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved the release of the sum of N374.9 million for the construction of a 200-bed specialist hospital in the state to be known as Adada Specialist Hospital, Igbo-Ano.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji disclosed that the approval was for the first phase of the project located within four neighbouring communities of Ovoko, Iheaka (in Igbo Eze South Local Government Area), Orba and Imilike (in Udenu L.G.A).
It would be recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi had performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the specialist hospital, where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to quality, accessible and affordable healthcare delivery and declared his resolve to construct similar specialist hospitals in the two other senatorial districts of the state.
Explaining further on the Adada Specialist Hospital, Engr. Nnaji stated that the phase one of the hospital “has every facility of a specialist hospital such as the maternity section, accident emergency unit, x-ray department, female ward; consulting room, among others”, adding that the whole essence was to take quality healthcare delivery to the rural areas.
Also speaking on the project, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fintan Ekochin, who described the administration of Gov. Ugwuanyi as “an embodiment of good governance”, stated that the Adada Specialist Hospital was designed to be a tertiary hospital “where you have a top-level specialist” to “serve the core need of the masses in respect of healthcare delivery”.
Dr. Ekochin noted that the hospital will be “a very large structure” with “state-of-the-art facilities”, expressing optimism that “the ultimate phase” will be actualized, accordingly.
The Health Commissioner disclosed that the Council approved the engagement of specialist doctors in various areas of specialization in the 7 district hospitals in Enugu State to “offer specialist healthcare services”
According to him, “this specialist care is going to be tantamount to what we have in the tertiary hospitals”.
He also stated that the Council approved the establishment and equipping of another specialist hospital at Agu Ekwegbe in Igbo Etiti L.G.A by a private partner, stressing that the choice of the location was selected through random balloting.
Dr. Ekochin further stated that the EXCO approved the setting up of the Enugu State Agency for Universal Health Coverage, describing the scheme as a branded version of the National Health Insurance Scheme
(NHIS), saying that the “Universal Health Coverage is a mandate the whole world has taken upon itself”.
The Education Commissioner, Prof. Uche Eze equally told newsmen that approval was given for the governor to set up a visitation panel for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) “to assess
the state of health of the university” to ensure that it is geared towards achieving the vision and mission of the founding fathers of the institution.
Prof. Eze added that the decision was sequel to the outcome of the earlier meeting held between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the state government including the management of ESUT where
a Memorandum of Action was signed in a bid to ensure industrial harmony in the university.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe on his part announced that the Council in keeping with the four-point agenda of the government in the area of social justice approved medical vacation for Judges.
He also stated that N92.2 million was approved for the purchase of 25-number generators for the supply of power at the residence of the Judges, adding six Hilux buses were approved for the Military
following the request made by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu to enhance their security operation in the state.
On the ongoing rehabilitation of the 9th Mile-Ekochin-Ngwo-Miliken Hill- New Market federal road, the Works Commissioner announced that the state government will on Friday, June 8, close the Miliken Hill section of the road for a period of three weeks to enable it carry out the final stage of pavement works and resurfacing.
Engr. Nnaji advised motorists to use the Enugu –Onitsha expressway as alternative route pending the completion of the work.
He stated that the state government regrets all inconveniences the temporary closure of the road will cause the people of Enugu State and beyond, especially road users, maintaining that the decision was geared towards their wellbeing, safety and security.
