Anambra State Government has officially handed over the Ufuma Cottage hospital to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.
Speaking during the hand-over, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said that the decision to hand over the Cottage hospital is for the overall interest of the public in having access to quality and affordable care across the state.
Soludo who was represented by the Commissioner for Health; Dr. Afam Ben Obidike noted that his administration recruited no fewer 500 health workers to fill the gaps identified in the secondary care immediately he was sworn in 2 years ago and that another 500 health workers have successfully being employed to work in Primary Healthcare Centre across the state.
He said this during the handover ceremony at the Ufuma Cottage hospital in Orumba North Local Government Area.
The governor reiterated his commitment in transforming the health sector of the state through fruitful partnership with Federal Government, Communities and Stakeholders.
Why we accept this takeover from NAUTH is because the benefits are enormous and you cannot compare the budget of Federal Government in terms of spending to that of any state in Nigeria.
Currently we are constructing 5 new General Hospitals some are in hard to reach areas of the state with the objective of achieving universal health coverage for all.
He thanked Prof. J. Ugboaja, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), NAUTH for partnering with the state in improving the healthcare in Anambra.
In his speech Ugboaja hailed Soludo for his commitment in transforming the health sector of the state and for appointing a hard working Health Commissioner.
“For the governor to approve this takeover showed that he has the interest of Ndi Anambra at heart, we must commend him for that. Prof. Ugboaja equally thanked the management of NAUTH for accepting the Cottage hospital as new the site of NAUTH Ufuma Annex.
The President General of Enugwuabo Oganiru Union, Rev. Nestor Iheji said the hospital was built in 1960’s by the then Eastern Region as a maternity under the local government management with Mrs. Felicia Obi-Onwunze as the first nurse to serve in the maternity.
According to Iheji, the people of Enugwuabo and Ufuma will begin to feel the presence of the Federal Government.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Prof. Charles Soludo; the Executive Governor of the State, for the approval for the takeover. Without his approval nothing can be done.’’
