Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has commissioned the Abia State Children’s Specialist Hospital, otherwise known as AnnaMarie Jackson Medical Center Umuahia.
The Hi-Tech equipped Specialist Hospital located opposite Umuahia Central Police Station is expected to cater for children between the ages of 0 – 18 years and render services such as Neonatology, Surgery, Pharmacy, Laboratory, X-ray, Ultrasound, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ikpeazu said his decision to establish the Specialist Hospital stems from the need to tackle infant and maternal mortality and improve on health care delivery in the state.
He said; “What you see here is the last appendage of our health care delivery plan. Our plan is to improve on health outcomes, calculated by time tested indices like infant and maternal mortality as well as life expectancy.
“My challenge in Abia is to ensure that by the time I leave office in 2023, life expectancy for Abians will be higher than the national average. In crafting or pursuing this vision, we saw that the best strategy was to capture the vulnerable groups, the geriatrics, those that are 70 years and above as well as the mother and child”.
The Governor revealed that his administration was keen on building an edifice that will cater for the healthcare needs of children adding that the Children’s Specialist Hospital boasts of all equipments needed to speak to the needs of children aged 0- 18 years.
Ikpeazu while pointing out that it is the right of every child to live, said it is the responsibility of government to give every Abia child an opportunity and a fair chance to live.
He further explained that the hospital was fully funded by the state government while critical and technical collaborations and expertise of Abians in the diaspora was sought in order to achieve the project.
“The resources for this hospital today is provided by Abia State Government but technical support today and in the days ahead will be provided by Abians in Diaspora”, Ikpeazu said.
He explained that the second name AnnaMarie Jackson Medical Center was to keep to his promise to Dr. Jackson who facilitated the importation of medical equipments that has supported the realization of the project.
Commissioning the facility, National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, commended Governor Ikpeazu for the laudable project.
He noted that Governors under the platform of the party have made the country proud adding that Governor Ikpeazu is not an exemption as he has continued to blaze the trail, by delivering democracy dividends to the people of Abia.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji, while applauding Governor Ikpeazu for providing adequate health care system that is affordable and accessible to Abians pointed out that the present administration has provided quality health care system as evidenced by the number of basic health care trust fund, Abia State Health Insurance Scheme and Abia TeleHealth Initiative among others Healthcare programmes of the government.
The Health commissioner said the facility will serve as a training institution for medical and nursing interns specializing in paediatrics and child health.
Earlier in her remarks, the Director General, Abia State Diaspora Commission,Dr Ngozi Erondu expressed happiness that the project has become a reality despite challenges faced due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
said the facility was specially built to carter . She revealed that the dream of having a children’s hospital in the state became a reality four years later despite the challenges faced.
Dr. Erondu explained that the specialist Hospital provides a kid-centered care to children from newborn to 18 years, and will be staffed by well trained professionals in the area of child care.
“Given the anticipated shortage of well qualified personnel,Diasporans will be engaged to provide their knowledge and expertise which will help in filling the gap while the equipment dedicated to the care of children will be sourced and provided rather than applying inefficient approach of adjusting adult equipment to fit their needs.
“Although the infant mortality rate in the state has improved having a dedicated hospital for children will undoubtedly reduce it even further”, she said.
Also speaking, the Project Consultant,Dr. Mrs. Edith Ugboaja, noted that the idea of building a children’s hospital is a noble stride of the Okezie Ikpeazu adminstration and applauded the Governor’s commitment and vision at ensuring that the health sector is given a facelift.
Dr. Ugboaja said the hospital is equipped with world class level Hitech equipment to enhance accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of diseases that are prevalent in the country adding that the biggest advantage of a children’s hospital is that patient care approach is tailored to meet the healthcare needs of the population as well as the emotional and psychological needs of their parents and caregivers.
