Abia community hospital rehabilitated after 35 years

There was a wide jubilation among the people of Obuohia Obi-Ibere an agrarian  community  on Monday as the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo inaugurated a rehabilitated cottage hospital with state-of-the-art equipment.

The absence of a primary healthcare centre in Obuohia Obi -Ibere community for the past 35 years has left residents frustrated, with many expressing their dissatisfaction with the government’s inability to meet their health needs.

The situation is made worse by the difficult terrain of the area which makes it difficult to access, especially during rainy season. It takes more than one hour to reach the nearest medical facility which is just eight kilometres away.

Often the journey is done on a motorcycle.

Speaking during the commissioning, Chief Sam Onuigbo  recalled that the first health centre in the community was built in1984 but years of neglect made it ineffective.

He said in 2016 he had listed the hospital for rehabilitation under his Constituency Project but lack of funding delayed the work.

“I am happy and proud that we have completed the rehabilitation and can now put the hospital to full use, thus addressing the gap in healthcare provision which the community and its neighbours have faced for years now.’’

Onuigbo said the hospital now has increased number of wards, doctors and nurses’ quarters,  a pharmacy and operating theatre.

He said he had witnessed the difficulties women and children in the community went through before accessing healthcare facility and it was quite a relief to know that it is all over.

“I am thankful to God for this, especially  the fact that we were able to upgrade the status of the hospital to that of a Cottage Hospital.’’

Also speaking, the National President of Obuohia Development Union, Obi-Ibere Autonomous Community, Chief Sam Eke, appealed to the state government to make available all the required personnel and logistics to enable the hospital function effectively.

The President of Obuohia Development Union (women’s wing)  Mrs Chinyere Onuigbo, thanked the lawmaker for rehabilitating the hospital and pledged that the women in the community would protect the hospital’s facilities.