By Kenechukwu Ofomah
The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Maureen Umeakuewulu, has called for greater investment in community hospitals and primary healthcare centres to reduce maternal mortality and preventable deaths in Nigeria.
She made the call while commissioning newly reconstructed and equipped male and female wards at Ajam Community Hospital, Ezinifite, renovated by the Aguata Local Government administration led by Mayor Dr. Chibueze Oforbuike.
Dr. Umeakuewulu noted that many maternal and emergency-related deaths occur in rural communities due to weak healthcare systems, stressing that properly equipped health centres with adequate manpower would drastically improve healthcare delivery.
She praised the administration of Chukwuma Soludo and the Aguata Mayor for revitalizing the facility, assuring that the teaching hospital would continue to support the community hospital through technical assistance and referral services.
Speaking during the event, Mayor Oforbuike said the project became necessary after discovering the poor state of the hospital.
He urged wealthy sons and daughters of Ezinifite to support the facility’s full revitalization through community-driven development initiatives.
Traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Bob Orji, commended the local government for restoring the hospital and appreciated the efforts of Dr. Umeakuewulu toward strengthening healthcare delivery across communities in the state.
The event also featured the enrollment of 120 Ezinifite residents into the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency health insurance scheme by the Aguata Mayor.
Tags: COOUTH, Maureen Umeakuewulu, Aguata LGA, Chibueze Oforbuike, Anambra health sector, community hospital, maternal mortality, Ezinifite, ASHIA, Chukwuma Soludo, healthcare development, Anambra news
