The paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Okuku Ime Inyang, has appealed to the state government to equip and employ medical personnel for effective service delivery in Utit Obio Community hospital constructed in 1981 through community effort.
The monarch made the call during the flag-off of a free medical outreach in the hospital facilitated by the member representing Ibiono Ibom constituency in the State House of Assembly, Moses Essien.
He lamented that the health care facility whose foundation was laid in 43 years ago by the then Cross River State governor, late Dr Clement Isong, has suffered neglect by successive administrations since the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987.
He commended the lawmaker for sponsoring the outreach, which he noted was going to bring health care services to many community dwellers in the area.
“Where we are seated today is a hospital which was initiated through the efforts, support and contribution of Utit Obio sons and daughters, and if we go round the premises, you would discover that the foundation was laid in 1981 by the then governor of Cross River State, late Dr Clement Isong.
“Now through Moses Essien we are gathered here for a medical outreach, that’s commendable. The Akwa Ibom State government should see the need to urgently intervene in the equipping and staffing of this facility to operate optimally and maximally,” he said.
The royal father lauded Senator Bassey Akpan who, during his tenure as the senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, facilitated the donation of hospital equipment and other medical items to the hospital.
The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, who was represented by the member representing Ini State Constituency, Lawrence Udoide, while performing the flag off, commended the lawmaker for initiating, “a well thought out healthcare programme that will handle diverse health challenges of the people of Ibiono Ibom State Constituency”.
The speaker noted that the free medical outreach was in sync with the health care and rural development blueprint in the development agenda of the Umo Eno-led administration.
Speaking, the sponsor of the free medical outreach, Hon Moses Essien disclosed that the programme was aimed at providing vital health services to the people of his constituency at zero cost to the beneficiaries, especially, the vulnerable and the aged who are mostly affected by health challenges and lack of funds to access the needed medical attention.
He said, “I am overwhelmed with the number of people that came out to benefit from this outreach, and I can assure that the team has the capacity to handle the numbers. It also shows the magnitude of health challenges that are prevalent in rural communities, and I want to believe that this outreach will go a long way to assist in providing healthcare to my constituents. The team has the capacity to handle the cases.”