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The governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu on Tuesday 13th December,2016 commissioned the MTN foundation funded 4 nos. maternal and child wards located at Abia state specialist hospital, General hospital Okpuala Ngwa, Owaza, and Abia state teaching hospital in Aba.
Speaking during the event the Governor of Abia State who was ably represented by the deputy , Rt hon.Sir Ude Ukochukwu thanked the MTN foundation for the kind gesture which he described as the best way to give back to the society.
The commissioner for health, Dr John Ahukannah who led the management and staff of the ministry to the event, said that the current leadership in the ministry identified confidence in building donor and partner organizations as a veritable tool to attracting assistance from such organization, he said the journey to the commissioning of the event started about a year ago.
” the journey of today’s commissioning started about a year ago with a stiff competition amongst states seeking to benefit from this MTN foundation funded project. I am happy to report that Abia state came top amongst all the south eastern states of the federation, hence, what we are commissioning today , the state represented by myself signed MOU in march 2016 and the actual construction work on these projects started shortly afterwards across the 4 sites.
The health ministry boss gave the assurance that the 4 sites are ready for commissioning as the governor used the one at Amachara as a point of contact to the remaining 3 sites .
He maintained that the same facilities in Amachara are same in the other 3 across the board, inclusive of 20 adjustable hospital beds, 20 bedside cupboards, 10 foldable ward screens, 20 hydraulic over bed tables , 20 visitors chairs, 2 nos top of the range neonatal incubators, 20 baby cots, drip stands, mattresses and pillow, all of very high quality and localed in anbient and welcoming environment.
The commissioner assured Abians that the facilities will create positive impact on the already improving childhood mortality indexes.
He said ” I can assure all Abians that the addition of these facilities will definitely impact positively on our already improving maternal and childhood mortality indexes, as evidence in records presented most recently in Benin city , by independent assessors/ consultants to the WHO, also these will be complemented by the 4nos brand new 100 beded hospitals spread across the state, about to be operationalised shortly.
Dr Ahukannah also assured Abians that under his watch the state ministry of health intends to superintend these facilities to ensure maximum benefits to all Abians. The hospital will maintain the facilities for continued delivery of qualitative health care to the people.
He thanked the governor for making out time to attend the commissioning and thanked the MTN foundation for their qualitative presence in Abia while assuring them that the state will continue to seek partnership in the health industry.
” I deeply thank his Excellency for making out time out of his obviously crowded itenary to attend today’s commissioning, to underscore the importance you attach to the health and wellbeing of all Abians.
To the MTN foundation, I say big thank you for your qualitative presence in Abia state as evidenced by all the projects you have executed in our dear state, including the MTN foundation hospital on wheel and the ones we commissioned today .
Like Oliver twist ,we will continue to seek your partnership in our health industry, we welcome your kind assistance as our state prepares to flag off 2 major pioneer projects in the next national council on health meeting in January 2017, being hosted by Abia state for the first time. This pioneer projects include the Abia state emergency medical services (EMS) and the Abia state Tele- Health initiative (ASTHI).
To the JNCI international, the project consultants, we cannot thank you enough for a well delivered quality service . we are expecting you to come partner with us in equipping our tertiary health facilities and also sponsoring the next NCH being hosted by Abia state” Dr Ahukannah said.
The event had in attendance Dr Okezie Ikpeazu represented by his deputy, sir Ude Ukochukwu ,Honourable commissioner for health, Dr John Ahukannah, Chief Medical Director , Abia state specialist and diagnosis centre , Umuahia, Dr Uwa U . Iweha,the director MTN foundation , Hon. Reginald Chukwuemeka Okeya, Perm. Sec. Ministry of health, Mr Nkwachukwu Agomoh and other top government functionaries.