Health: Akwa Ibom State Govt Donates N30Million to UUTH
In furtherance of his vision of making quality healthcare available to the vast majority of the citizens as contained in the ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom State Government has donated the sum of N30, 000, 000 to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The governor, Pastor Umo Eno made the presentation on behalf of the government during a courtesy visit on him by the management of the hospital led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. EmemAbasi Bassey.
In his remarks, the governor commended the management and staff of the hospital for their good works and commitment to saving the lives of Akwa Ibom people and beyond.
He noted that though the hospital is owned by the federal government, but by virtue of its location in the State and the fact that it serves to benefit a greater number of Akwa Ibom people, the State considers it necessary to support and will continue to support the medical institution to enhance it services.
Governor Umo Eno who is passionate about the health of Akwa Ibom citizenry, said the State is puting modalities in place to open a medical corridor between the Ibom Specialist Hospital and the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene.
The governor, who had earlier in the day inspected the site for the construction of a renal centre, noted that it is the plan of government, under his watch, to ensure better healthcare service delivery for the people.
He noted that the last administration made huge investments in secondary healthcare facilities, but the incumbent administration intends to invest more in primary health facilities with a target of at least one model primary healthcare centre per local government which is similar to the model primary schools programme.
Governor Umo Eno expressed worry over increasing cases of renal disease and cancer and urged the medical professionals to consider some orientation exercise for the public that could help prevent the menace.
He said the planned renal centre is motivated by increasing cases of renal failure and the huge amount involved in supporting individual operation in foreign facilities, adding that it would benefit more Akwaibomites and even people from beyond the state to have a renal facility in the state and possibly get specialists to manage it while at the same time training Akwa Ibom people.
The governor disclosed that some other plans of government in the health sector included: health insurance, ambulance services, and others.
While presenting the cheque for N21, 500, 000, he said government increased the donation to N30, 000, 000 to enable the hospital cater for some more indigent Akwa Ibomites who may not afford to pay their bills in the hospital.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Medical Director, Prof EmemAbasi Bassey commended the Governor for the priority accorded to health in the ARISE Agenda as well as unscheduled visits to the hospital to settle bills of some indigent patients, and his earlier donation to the hospital to complete its ongoing dedicated electric power line project.
He disclosed that the hospital intends to commence Hip and Knee replacement surgeries, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment for infertility, and also in partnership talks with sister tertiary hospitals to commence renal transplant services in the hospital.
Prof Bassey who is a former Commissioner for Health, congratulated the Governor on his election victory, assumption of office and remarkable early days in office saying, “it is remarkable and overwhelming that wihin such a short period of assumption of office, you have commenced numerous projects and touched the lives of numerous Akwa Ibom indigenes including the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital community.
“We have no doubt that as a highly successful entrepreneur, spiritual leader, former commissioner with a proven track record of excellence, you will bring your wealth of experience to bear, build on the foundations of your predecessors in office and further transform our State positively.”
He appreciated the Governor for the choice of Dr Ekem Emmanuel John as Senior Special Assistant Medicals and Personal Physician, as well as the reappointment of Prof Augustine Umoh as Commissioner for Health, while registering their commitment to partner with the State Government to achieve its objectives
At the event were Commissioners for Health, Agriculture, and Works, Prof. Augustine Umoh, Dr. Offiong Offor, and Prof. Eno Ibanga respectively, as well as Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntukudeh, State’s Accountant-General, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, SSA Medicals and Personal Physician to the Governor, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John and SSA, Media and Publicity, Mr. Anietie Usen.
Also, in attendance were management staff of the UUTH including: Dr. Inyang Clement, Dr. Fidelis Akpan, Prof Eyo Ekpe, and Dr. Christy Akwaowo, among others.
