Be compassionate in your services to the sick – Enugu Commissioner

The Enugu State Commissioner for Children, gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon Ngozi Enih has charged the staff of Godfrey Okoye University teaching hospital to be humane and compassionate in their services to the sick and maintain the highest standard in healthcare.

Hon Enih made the call on weekend during the formal Commissioning of the new ultra modern Child and Maternal Care unit of the University Teaching hospital, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.

Enih who stated that the national Maternal and infant mortalities remain high in comparison with countries with same endowment noted that Godfrey Okoye University Teaching Hospital is putting the right and stable foot forward by considering this vulnerable group first in her service and infrastructural development.

She however encouraged mothers without reservation to avail themselves of this wonderful opportunity, adding that it is a faith based institution one can be assured of holistic care; quality uninterrupted services and not encumbered by industrial strife.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to architects of this noble idea. I congratulate the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Dr. CVC Onaga for this well thought out program of upgrading Ntasiobi Hospital to a teaching hospital, and the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke for rising up to the challenge of transitioning the Ntasiobi to a teaching hospital.

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“Our national health ranking continues to be below average. Health and Health Systems Ranking of Countries Worldwide in 2023, ranked Nigeria at 157th position, a step behind Equatorial Guinea and a step ahead of Angola.

“The health index score was calculated by evaluating various indicators that assess the health of the population, and access to the services required to sustain good health, including health outcomes, health systems, sickness and risk factors, and mortality rates.

“Therefore, mother and child care is a major plank of global health indicator and therefore strikes a sympathetic chord of my ministry. Women and children remain the most vulnerable in any adverse events war, famine, dysfunctional health care etc.

“I urge you to maintain the highest standard of care and to always apply the best practices, ensuring that members of staff are humane and compassionate in their services to the sick,” she said.

She however enjoined good spirited Nigerians to support this budding institution for the common good of everyone.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Christian Anieke commended the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Camillus Onaga for giving the University opportunity to upgrade the former Ntasiobi hospital to teaching hospital.

He assured that the University will not rest until they make the teaching hospital the best teaching hospital in the country.

In a welcome address by the Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Prof. Cajethan Nwadinigwe, disclosed that the idea to spotlight mother and child health care was predicted on poor national health indicator, high maternal and infant mortalities.

He disclosed that Godfrey Okoye University administration building the teaching hospital, believed that 95% of health conditions contributing to poor indicators are treatable and preventable through cheap but effective resource allocation.

“This project is the hobbyhorse of the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Prof. Anieke was designed to provide a one stop health service for pregnant mothers and their infants. The complex has thirty six bed spaces with provision for theatre, intensive care high dependence area, newborn special care unit and ensuit wards,” he said