By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a multi-million naira Primary Health Care (PHC) center to strengthen healthcare in Ugbawka community, Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.
The facility was built under an infrastructure project marked ‘A Special Quick Impact Project of the Chief of Naval Staff in Honour of Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu (rtd)’.
Inaugurating the facility, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said that the structure represented the Navy’s committed to social positive impact and betterment of society.
Abbas said that the Navy would continue to touch lives across the country and give due honour to senior naval officers, who served the country meritoriously for decades.
Represented by Director of Veteran Affairs, Rear Admiral Raheem Taofeek, the CNS said that civil-military affairs were meant to improve and build trust with Nigerians and her communities.
According to him, the 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 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 as well,” he said.
Responding, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, 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 provided healthcare professionals.
“The state government has posted medical professionals to work here 24 hours, since the facility has accommodation and solar-powered electricity to ensure steady electricity and lighting 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, lawmaker representing Nkanu East and Nkanu West federal constituency, Rep Nnoli Nnaji, commended the Navy for partnering with the state government and community to see to 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 my constituency,” Rep Nnaji said.
The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Sunday Nwobodo, appreciated the CNS and Naval authorities for honouring their son – Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu (rtd) – by building the medical edifice.
Nwobodo, who paid for registration cards for the first 100 people to seek health needs from the PHC 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 Admiral Nwatu (rtd) 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 wellbeing and progress of Ugbawka community,” Nwatu said.
*PHOTO CAPTION:Rear Admiral Raheem Taofeek (with mic), representing the CNS, Admiral Abass, set to inaugurate the PHC center.
