By Abuchi Onwumelu
In his bid to ensure quality healthcare delivery for Ndi Anambra, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, last Weekend commissioned Eldorado Multi-Specialist Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Awka the Anambra State Capital.
Commissioning the Eldorado ICU which housed the multi-purpose cardiac monitor, infusion pump, syringe pump, ventilator machine, arterial blood gas (ABC machine) and defibrillator machine, Obiano commended the Hospital Management for what he said they had been able to achieve in the health sector, describing them as strong and reliable partner of his administration.
He called on residents of the state and indeed Nigerians to take the necessary COVID-19 protocols seriously to avoid the ugly experience in India.
He said the pandemic suddenly resurfaced in India after majority of its citizenry relaxed observance of basic COVID-19 protocols following apparent 90 percent victory over the virus.
Governor Obiano who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, Dr. Vincent Okpala assured on Government's continued support and partnership, noting that Eldorado Multi-Specialist Hospital remained one of the most sought after Specialist hospitals in Nigeria.
The governor regretted that majority of the residents of the state were getting careless on the measures against the virus.
'India managed to control COVID 90 percent and started celebrating, politicians stopped wearing their masks and playing down on measures. We saw what the result was. Indian experience should teach us lessons.
'No doubt, it’s uncomfortable wearing facemasks; but you can’t see me talk in public without wearing it. We encourage everyone to comply with the protocols. Thank God the vaccination is here and people are no longer hesitant having discovered that nothing bad happened to those of us who have taken both first and second dose.
'It’s good we take advantage of what we have. We don’t understand this disease and thinking we’re home and dry, until during the peak of rainy season it will suddenly come upon us. Yes, there’s insecurity, but it’s worse we add illness on top. It’s better we don’t have any of them at all than to battle with both,' he stated.
While commending the hospital for providing the state-of-the-art equipment, which he said, was maiden in a private hospital in the capital city, Obiano noted that it would go a long way to complementing those in public hospitals in meeting the health needs of the citizens
Earlier in a remark, one of the Managing Consultants, Dr. Chiemelu Emegoakor said that the Hospital came into existence in the year 2016 and had not looked back since then, stating that the ICU became imperative following the COVID-19 pandemic which, he said took many unawares. He said at the heat of the pandemic, no ICU was found anywhere in the South-East.
Dr. Emegoakor said the hospital remained one of the few private hospitals in the zone that could boast of such facility essentially for patients on critical conditions.
He listed the equipment in the facility to include multipurpose cardiac monitor, central oxygen system, ventilators machines, infusion pumps, syringe pumps, arterial blood gas machine and central suction machine, among others.
'The facility will benefit stroke, ventilating, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure patients in the management of their conditions,' he added.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Lasbrey Asomugha, described the facility as one of the best thing that had happened to the state, especially with respect to management of COVID-19.
Prof Asomugha who is a Consultant and Director Medical Services, UNIZIK said 75% of patients in the state relied on private hospitals for their health needs, calling on government to always support private clinics in order to provide maximum health care for citizens.
Dr. Eric Umeh, Consultant Radiologist NAUTH, Nnewi, Dr. Ufoaroh Chinyelu Uchenna of NAUTH and Sir Felix Emegoakor described the acquisition of the ICU as a landmark achievement, stating that they were privileged to be part of its commissioning.
Overview of Intensive Care Unit, Inspection of the equipments and detailed explanation of the functions and usage of the machines by an Intensivist, Chief Maxwell Amah formed the highpoints of the occasion.
