Some residents of Ayamelum, Anambra State, recounted years of hardship and loss from lack of healthcare, calling it ‘a daily struggle’, before the recent inauguration of a new general hospital.
The residents spoke to newsmen during an inspection tour of newly constructed Solution General Hospital at Anaku in Ayamelum LGA, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike.
Mrs Nneka Okafor, a farmer from Umumbo community, recounted losing a relative during childbirth because they could not reach a hospital in time.
“We used to travel several miles by motorcycle just to get medical help at Umueri. Sometimes, people died on the way.
“My co-wife went into labour one night, and before we could find a motorcycle to take her to the general hospital in Umueri, she passed away. I can never forget that loss.
“Now, we have a hospital right here in our community. That alone gives us peace of mind,” she said.
Another resident, Pa Anthony Onochie, said for decades, the people of Ayamelum lived in fear each time sickness struck as access to healthcare was a daily struggle.
Mrs Ebere Onuchukwu, a mother of three from Omasi community in Ayamelum, said the new hospital would help save lives, especially those of women and children.
“We lost my sister on the pothole-ridden road to Otuocha while she was in labour. She bled to death before we got to the hospital.
“Before now, childbirth was a huge risk. With this new hospital now functioning, we can at least hope for safe deliveries,” she said.
The President-General of Anaku community in Ayamelum, Mr Paul Nwauba, said before the construction of the new hospital, there was no functional public health facility in the area.
According to him, residents were compelled to travel long distances to neighboring towns such as Otuocha, Nsugbe, Onitsha, Umueri or even Awka to access medical care.
He noted that the long and expensive trips often led to loss of lives, particularly during emergencies.
“For the people of Ayamelum, the new hospital is a beacon of hope and healing after years of neglect. We are grateful to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for this facility,” Nwauba said.
He added that the community had pledged to take ownership of the hospital by protecting it and ensuring its proper maintenance.
Pa John Ejimofor said the new hospital had restored the dignity of the people of Ayamelum.
“For the first time, our children will be born in a proper hospital within our own land. I am 72 years old, and I never thought I would live to see a government hospital in this community,” he said.
For Mr Chukwudi Nwafor, a commercial motorcyclist in the area, the hospital has also eased financial burdens on families.
“We used to spend over N10,000 just to transport a sick person to another town. Now, with this new hospital, that money can be used for treatment and drugs,” he said.
The youth leader in Anaku, Mr Christopher Obiorah, said his father and seven others underwent successful hernia surgeries free of charge after the hospital was inaugurated on Oct. 23.
According to him, the hospital will drive development in the area.
The health workers were seen attending to patients at the hospital, which provides maternal and child care, essential drugs, emergency services, laboratory tests, eye care, surgeries and immunisation.
Addressing journalists, Dr Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health, said the facility was part of Gov. Soludo’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Obidike said Gov. Soludo’s administration remains committed to its vision of having one functional general hospital in every local government area.
“Gov. Soludo is intentional about bridging the healthcare gap between urban and rural communities. No Anambra citizen should die because they cannot afford or access medical care,” he said.
Other health facilities visited were general hospital, Ekwulobia, Specialist Hospital, Fegge in Onitsha, Rehabilitation center, Nibo and Trauma Centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka.
