By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, has called for increased investment in primary healthcare centres and community hospitals to reduce maternal mortality.
Umeakuewulu made the call on Thursday during the inauguration of a newly reconstructed male and female wards at Ajam Community Hospital, Ezinifite, in Aguata Local Government Area (LGA).
The project was executed by the Aguata LGA under the leadership of the chairman, Dr Chibueze Oforbuike.
The CMD said Nigeria contributes significantly to the global burden of maternal mortality with about 80 per cent of maternal deaths occurring at homes and grassroots communities.
According to her, strengthening primary healthcare centres and community hospitals with adequate manpower and equipment would drastically reduce deaths occurring before, during and after pregnancy.
“The importance of this project cannot be overemphasised because its effective functioning will help reduce maternal mortality in this community and surrounding areas,” she said.
Umeakuewulu said her administration at the teaching hospital was anchored on improved clinical services, personnel training and research.
She added that the revitalisation of the community hospital aligned with the hospital’s vision of building an effective referral system across the state.
The CMD assured that the teaching hospital would provide technical support and assistance to ensure effective healthcare delivery at the facility.
She, however, stressed the need for community support to protect health personnel and ensure smooth operation of the hospital.
“For community hospitals such as this to function maximally, there must be 24-hour doctor coverage, power supply, water, perimeter fencing, ambulance services and other essential facilities.
“Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is doing well in the health sector, while the Augusta LG chairman has also done well in reviving this facility.
“But the people of must come together to ensure that the facility functions optimally,” she said.
Earlier, the LG Chairman, Oforbuike, said the project was initiated following complaints by community members over the deplorable state of the hospital.
He said the local government intervened because of the strategic importance of the facility in delivering quality healthcare services to residents.
He urged well-meaning indigenes of the community to support further development of the facility.
According to him, the public-private-community partnership model advocated by Gov. Soludo remains the best approach to community development.
“When we came here, I was shocked by the level of decay in the facility and that motivated us to commence and complete this project.
“This hospital has the capacity to become a teaching hospital in future,” he said.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Ezinifite, Igwe Bob Orji, commended the LG Chairman for undertaking the project.
He urged wealthy indigenes of the community to support the complete revitalisation of the hospital.
