We’ll Revamp Abia Health System – Alex Otti Says As Dr Ureh Nnenna Lekwauwa Handsover Hostel For Psychiatrist Students In Amaudo
It was a moment of joy for Amaudo Itumbuzo community, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Saturday, as a standard 48-bed seater hostel for Psychiatrist doctors and nurses in training, constructed by Dr. Ureh Nnenna Lekwauwa, founder and CEO of the Bloom Health Foundation was handed over to Methodist Church Nigeria Amaudo Integrated Community Mental Health Foundation.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ureh Nnenna Lekwauwa an American based Psychiatrist of Abiriba, Ohafia LGA origin, noted that she and her Board (Bloom Health Foundation), agreed to construct the facility out of the zeal to see that more doctors and nurses are comfortably trained to assist mentally challenged people in the society.
“The goal of this building is to assist in the training of a psychiatry workforce for Abia and surrounding states. We as a state and community have a responsibility to take care of those of us who for whatever reasons are unable to care for themselves.
“Bloom Health Foundation is poised on improving health services and addressing social determinants of health” Dr Lekwauwa said.
She regretted that the recommendation she made after she did a needs assessment of psychiatric services in Abia state in 2013, during the administration of Senator T.A. Orji were not implemented up till date, however, that did not deter her from her quest to aid in solving challenges facing the psychiatry system.
“That visit opened my eyes to the enormity of the psychiatric health challenges facing the people of Abia state. I had already been involved for 11 years in healthcare service delivery in my home town Abiriba during which I was haunted by the sight of the occasional psychiatric patient brought to our medical mission in chains.”
Speaking further to ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER, Dr Lekwauwa who revealed that her 2013 trip drew her attention to the Amaudo facility, added;
“My foundation and I donated this building and the purpose is to care for psychiatrists in Abia state and the southeast. The reason is to train more people to be able to help the mentally challenged ones who cannot help themselves”.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Abia state governor elect, Dr. Alex Otti, represented by Chief Inem Nwaka noted that Dr. Lekwauwa is one of Abia’s diaspora personalities who has shown great love for the development of the state.
“We will continue to support your ideas because it is the ideas that people like you bring that will give us the chance to effect the change the people are expecting” the governor-elect assured.
He reassured that the incoming administration will be very receptive of good ideas and would perform differently from other administrations.
“We got to a stage in Abia state that the people lost confidence in the existing government to the extent that no matter what they do, results were no longer coming out” he added.
Dr Alex Otti lauded Dr. Lekwauwa for constructing a standard hostel noting that such should be replicated in the whole of the south east
H also assured that his administration would revamp the health system including the psychiatry system.
“it is the intention of the incoming government to revamp the health system” he added.
Nwaka assured that on his return, he would inform Dr Alex Otti of the bad state of the road leading to the rehabilitation facility.
Speaking to AFNEWS, the contractor, Engineer Augustine Ojiah Ogbuka described the structure as the best in the entire Amudo community adding that the facility also houses a library facility, four single rooms with beds, and solar power system.
Ogbuka decried lack of water and bad road network in the area, which he implored the Abia state government to remedy.
Speaking earlier, the Methodist Church Uzuakoli thanked their benefactors for identifying with the mental facility, revealing that no elected governor has ever visited the facility.
“it is not easy to come to us. Anybody who has come here today, has made a huge sacrifice” the representative said.
The event was officiated by Methodist Bishop of Uzuakoli Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. James Alozie Anyanwu.
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