Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Monday inaugurated a mission hospital remodelled with N300 million in the Ihe community, Awgu Area Council of the state.
The hospital was remodelled by the members of the Ihe Development Initiative (IDI), a group of entrepreneurs, academics and servicemen from the community.
The hospital was established in 1976 by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu through the assistance of Ihe traditional ruler, the late Dennis Nwachukwu, but is now managed by the Catholic Diocese of Awgu.
Speaking at the event, Mr Mbah, represented by the state commissioner for health, Emmanuel Obi, said the project aligned with his administration’s plan to bring healthcare delivery closer to people in rural areas.
“It is very commendable because it aligns with policies of the Enugu State government, which include a move to push the poverty index of the state to zero.
“What they have done is to refurbish and bring a new face to healthcare delivery to Ihe and its environs,” Mr Mbah said.
However, he called for a stronger partnership between the community and the Catholic Diocese of Awgu to sustain the hospital’s facelift.
“Since it is a mission hospital, we will partner with them when they write officially to us,” he said.
The diocese bishop, John Okoye, also expressed happiness with the intervention by IDI in transforming the hospital to serve humanity better.
The clergy urged members of the community and its environs to keep patronising the hospital for better healthcare delivery.
Also speaking, the chairman of the event, Air Commodore Chiemeka Ozoemena (Rtd), lauded the teamwork in transforming the hospital.
Earlier, Madueke Ekoh, the president of the Ihe Development Initiative (IDI), said they engaged in remodelling the hospital to help their people and improve their lives.
