Speaking during the ceremony, Otti emphasized that health occupies a significant position in Abia Government’s rebuilding agenda. He noted that the state-of-the-art hospital would bolster efforts to improve healthcare access. The hospital is part of the Federal Government’s health intervention program aimed at achieving Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focuses on good health and well-being.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration for prioritizing the hospital's completion and renaming it from the Mother and Child Hospital to the Sustainable Development Multipurpose Hospital. He also thanked OSSAP-SDGs for delivering the facility and transitioning its management to the state government.
"I would like to thank you for your commitment to see the completion of this project and for ensuring that the state government will take over the management of the hospital," Otti said. He also announced that the state government would provide additional land for the construction of doctors' quarters.
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, described the hospital as an intervention aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu's administration. She highlighted the federal government's commitment to prioritizing key interventions that have multiplier effects on eradicating multidimensional poverty.
A statement by Desmond Utomwen, Special Assistant to the SSAP-SDGs on Media and Publicity, quoted Princess Orelope-Adefulire detailing the hospital’s facilities, which include two operating theatres, recovery rooms, private and general wards, a scanning room, consultation rooms, a laboratory, an ultra-scan machine, a vacuum extractor delivery set, and an emergency cart with full complements. The hospital is directly linked to the achievement of SDG-3 on 'Quality Health and Well-being for all' and other cross-cutting SDGs.
"OSSAP-SDGs has worked tirelessly to construct and furnish this state-of-the-art facility as a strategic tool for healthcare service provision in the state. It is expected that the state and local governments will use the facilities sustainably for the benefit of our mothers and children. Let this Mother and Child Centre be a beacon of hope and a testament to our dedication to building healthier and more prosperous communities," Orelope-Adefulire stated.
Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the Wife of the Abia Governor, represented by Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, the Wife of the Deputy Governor, described the hospital as a testament to the government's commitment to improving healthcare in alignment with SDGs. She expressed confidence that the facility would enhance access to healthcare services and improve health outcomes.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Ugwunagbo LGA, Mr. Nosike Ihesiaba, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, both praised the hospital as a milestone towards equitable healthcare access. Dr. Odochi Azubuike, CEO of the Hospital Management Board, highlighted the hospital's capacity to provide comprehensive care, especially for women and children.
In an interview, Mr. Kelvin Chijioke, Deputy Transition Committee Chairman of Ugwunagbo LGA, described the facility as "a first of its kind" in the area, expressing delight over its establishment and the benefits it will bring to the local communities.
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