Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Tuesday directed the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to commence massive rehabilitation of the 62-year-old Enugu Ezike General Hospital.
Ugwuanyi gave the directive when he paid an unscheduled visit to Enugu Ezike General Hospital in Ogrute, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state, to assess the state of the hospital, built in 1958.
The governor, who was led round the hospital by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Cyril Nnadi and the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Mr Ejike Itodo, expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the facilities on ground.
He, therefore, directed the ministry to commence the evaluation of the facility with a view to rehabilitating it to serve the public better.
During the inspection, the chief medical officer informed the governor that the hospital had no electricity supply since 2008 because of huge bills, among other challenges.
Ugwuanyi consequently directed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to restore power supply to the hospital.
The governor further made funds available to the hospital’s management to enable it commence clearing of the premises and other immediate interventions.
Reacting on behalf of the management of the hospital, Nnadi thanked the governor for the provision of funds for the hospital premises to be cleared immediately and his directive to reconnect the hospital to electricity supply.
“We also appreciate the governor for his promise to carry out major upgrade of the hospital to serve the people better,’’ he said.
The governor was accompanied on the surprise visit by the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Greg Nnaji and Deputy Chief of Staff, Prof. Malachy Okwueze, among others.
The rehabilitation of the hospital was in keeping with the Ugwuanyi-led administration’s renewed vigour toward upgrade of health facilities in Enugu State.
