Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Monday, inaugurated a mission hospital remodeled at the cost of N300m in Ihe community, Awgu Area Council of the state.
The hospital was remodeled by the members of Ihe Development Initiative (IDI), a group of entrepreneurs, academics and servicemen from the community.
The hospital was established in 1976 by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu through the assistance of Ihe traditional ruler, late Dennis Nwachukwu but now managed by the Catholic Diocese of Awgu.
Mbah, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, said the project aligned with his administration’s plan to bring healthcare delivery closer to people in the rural areas.
According to the governor, It is a thing of honour to see how IDI and the Ihe community have joined in supporting the innovative push of his administration with the developmental project.
“It is very commendable because it aligns with policies of the Enugu State government, which include a move to push the poverty index of the state to zero.
“What they have done is to refurbish and bring a new face to healthcare delivery to Ihe and its environs,” Mbah said.
He, however, called for stronger partnership between the community and Catholics Diocese of Awgu to sustain the facelift of the hospital.
“Since it is a mission hospital, we will partner with them when they write officially to us,” he said.
The Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. John Okoye, also expressed happiness with the intervention by IDI in transforming the hospital to serve humanity better.
“I say congratulations to them and I encourage them to look to other areas where people suffer to provide help.”
He pledged to look into the hospital being understaffed as observed, adding that the diocese would partner with the community to sustain the hospital by providing the needed manpower.
The clergy urged members of the community and its environs to keep patronising the hospital for better healthcare delivery.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the event, Air Commodore Chiemeka Ozoemena (Rtd), lauded the team work in transforming the hospital.
“I therefore, urge all sons and daughters of Ihe, the Catholic Diocese of Awgu as well as workers in this facility to always remember that this accomplishment belongs to all of us and to take care of it.”
Earlier, Dr Madueke Ekoh, the President Ihe Development Initiative (IDI), said they engaged in the remodeling of the hospital to help their people and make their lives better.
He said before the intervention, the hospital was a ghost area, completely dilapidated with non functional facilities.
“Based on that, we were tasked with developing modalities to effectively and efficiently galvanize support to initiate a rescue mission.
“IDI was able to raise some resources through ourselves, well-wishers and friends both home and abroad. We raised about N300 million to do all these things.
“We rebuilt the main building, refurbished the general ward, purchased new hospital beds with accessories, new maternity labour bed, high quality office chairs and table.
“We rebuilt staff quarters, built a fence with new rails and gate and solar powered borehole with full reticulation to all areas of the hospital.
“We also installed high capacity 10KVA solar power, established drainage systems, refurbished hospital ambulance and performed general landscaping with asphalted pavements,” Ekoh said.
He explained that IDI would set up a Hospital Endowment Fund where people can donate to sustain the hospital.
Highlights of the event include bestowing of awards to distinguished members of the community, presentation of cash gifts to students of the community who excelled in their studies and others.
