Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated a 100-bed Renewed Hope Mother and Child Specialist Hospital at Oko Ita in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
The facility, constructed under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, is designed to provide comprehensive maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care to residents of the area and neighbouring communities.
Inaugurating the hospital on Wednesday, Eno, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, commended President Tinubu for providing the resources for the construction and equipping of the facility, noting that the hospital would significantly complement his administration’s efforts in delivering affordable and quality healthcare services across the state.
“Our President understands that health is wealth. The commissioning of this hospital speaks to the President’s commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of the people, especially those in rural areas, as well as his resolve to implement Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on good health and well-being,” Governor Eno said.
He disclosed that several model Primary Health Centres have already been established across the ten federal constituencies in the state and also revealed plans for the soon-to-be-commissioned construction of a 350-bed Ibom International Multi-Specialist Hospital, aimed at promoting medical tourism in the state.
In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, noted that the ultramodern hospital is one of the many Mother and Child Centres constructed and fully equipped by her office in partnership with sub-national governments, to reduce maternal and child mortality and improve access to essential health services across Nigeria.
She appreciated President Tinubu for his unwavering support towards the implementation of the SDGs and for providing the resources for the establishment of the facility, stating that a total of 45 such hospitals have been built across the country so far.
“Our 2024 SDGs Progress Report reveals sobering statistics. Maternal health indicators remain below target. This centre marks a significant step in Nigeria’s journey towards achieving SDG Goal 3,” she said.
The Special Assistant called for intensified efforts by all stakeholders to promote routine antenatal and postnatal care, strengthen skilled birth attendance through initiatives like the Midwives Service Scheme, prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, and ensure full immunisation coverage to protect children from preventable diseases.
She also commended Eno for his people-centred governance approach and his commitment to creating an enabling environment for developmental interventions.
She pledged to collaborate with the state government to provide residential quarters for medical personnel and additional facilities to elevate the hospital to general hospital standards.
Goodwill messages were received from the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South and Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Ekong Sampson; a former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legislative Matters, Senator Ita Enang; and the member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Ime Okon, among others.
The 100-bed facility is fully equipped with operating theatres, recovery rooms, delivery beds, laboratories and scanning rooms, emergency carts with full complements, ultrasound scanners, manual and electrical resuscitators, and other critical medical equipment.
