Navy inaugurates medical facility in Enugu community
The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a multi-million naira Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in Ugbawka ccommunity, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu state to improve healthcare delivery.
The facility was built under a special “Quick Impact Project” of the Chief of the Naval Staff in honour of Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu (Rtd).
Unveiling the facility on Friday in the community, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, said that the facility represented the Navy’s committed to social positive impact and social corporate responsibility.
Abbas said that the navy would continue to touch lives across the country and give due honour to naval serving senior officers, who have served the country meritoriously for decades.
Represented by the Director of Veteran Affairs, Rear Adm. Raheem Taofeek, the CNS said that civil military affairs was meant to improve civil relationship and build trust.
According to him, this project is in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which the Nigerian Navy has keyed into.
“The navy has 33 quick impact projects across the country and they are done to honour our distinguished and decade-long serving top senior officers and we are poised to do more.
“The facility will surely improve healthcare and wellbeing of the people in the community and attract quality health professionals to the community,” he said.
Responding, Gov. Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said that the state government had already furnished the PHC facility with furniture, health equipment and healthcare professionals.
“The state government has posted medical professionals to work 24 hours, since the facility have accommodation and solar-powered electricity to ensure steady electricity and lightening of the facility at night hours.
“We are challenging political office holders and. philanthropists to create access to the facility by enrolling the residents into state insurance coverage of N12,000 per person, per year,” Mbah said.
Speaking, Member representing Nkanu East and Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Chief Nnoli Nnaji, commended the navy for partnering with the state government and community to ensure the functionality of the facility.
“I represent 28 wards in my constituency. I am giving 50 persons per ward a health insurance coverage and we will find ways to get tricycle ambulances in the constituency.
“We are grateful to the chief of naval staff and entire navy authorities for this great gesture meant to touch lives and improve healthcare of generations in this community and constituency,” Nnaji said.
The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Sunday Nwobodo, appreciated the CNS and the entire naval authorities for honouring their son – Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu (retired) – by building the medical edifice.
Nwobodo, who paid for pre-registration cards for the first 100 people to seek health needs from the facility, assured that the community would support the facility.
“We, the community, are taking 100 per cent ownership of this PHC facility. We will ensure it works for our people and the facility is well-protected,” he said.
In appreciation, Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu (retired) lauded the CNS for approving and funding the project as well as appreciated the community, Enugu State Ministry of Health and the state government for partnering in the project.
“We decided that the facility would be named after our illustrious late father and then Igwe-elect, Maj. Emmanuel Nwatu, who dedicated his life for the well being and progress of Ugbawka community,” Nwatu said.