By Press Release
The unkempt environment of General Hospital, Awa, Onna Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State has landed the Health Commissioner and hospital’s Chief Medical Superintendent in trouble, Straightnews has gathered.
In addition, the Chief Medical Superintendent’s absenteeism from the hospital during official hours drew the ire of Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson, a member representing Mbo State Constituency who is said to have visited the hospital for ultra-sound scanning.
A source close to the state parliamentarian told Straightnews that he sat there and saw that in less than three hours out-patients had paid more than N1 million to the hospital for scanning.
Worried by the environment with overgrown grasses, Johnson took the matter to the House and informed members that while the hospital is equipped with modern facilities, the overall environment is in deplorable condition, posing health risks to visitors.’
Related news
- Akwa Ibom Hospital Records three successful transvenous cardiac implant
- Former President inaugurates 117-year-old hospital in Akwa Ibom
- Killings: Hospitals in Plateau State Hit By Blood shortage
The Chief Whip of the Assembly expressed concern over how the hospital’s management is utilizing its funds to run the hospital.
He noted that the Chief Medical Superintendent was absent during his visit.
Contributing to the matter, Rt. Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem, who represents Itu State Constituency who is also the Deputy Speaker, lamented that it is regrettable that despite furnishing the health facility with world-class medical equipment, those responsible for managing them are not prioritizing patients’ care.
On his part, the member representing Nsit Ubium, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, expressed disappointment regarding the inadequate management of essential facilities in the state.
Bob emphasised that when those in leadership positions neglect their responsibilities, it reflects poorly on the government. He stated that the House of Assembly would not tolerate such behaviour.
AKHA summons Commissioner, others
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has summoned the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, the Chairman of the Hospitals Management Board, and the Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital.
The summon followed a matter of urgent public importance raised during plenary by Rt. Hon. Johnson.
The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, while issuing a summon for the Commissioner of Health to appear before the House with the Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, and the Hospital’s Chief Medical Director, said, it was an unfortunate reality that those entrusted with important tasks are failing in their duties.
He emphasised that the Assembly would not overlook and allow the situation in our public health institutions to deteriorate.
The remodeled General Hospital, Awa inaugurated in 2020 and upgraded to a 55-bed hospital received a boost in staff strength from the hitherto one doctor and five nurses to five medical doctors and 13 nurses.
In addition, the departments, units and wards of the multi-billion naira hospital are equipped with modern state-of-the-art medical facilities.
It also boosts of such facilities as automated motorized beds, baby cot, X-ray machine, state-of-the-art theatre equipment, Urine Analyser, Incubator, Haematology Analyser, Electrolyte Analyser, Micropel 5 and the Blood bank, one 500 KVA generator, one 300 KVA generator and a diesel tank at the electrical yard.
The House has adjourned plenary to Tuesday, 17th September 2024.
