By Martin Opara
Sequel to the passionate Save our Soul message of Orlu Progressive Assembly, in respect of the deplorable state of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital IMSUTH, Orlu, the Governor recently visited the facility for on the spot assessment, with a view to addressing the numerous challenges that are likely to culminate in total withdrawal of accreditation in January next year if urgent remedial steps are not taken.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, first on the left and other government officials at IMSUTH, recently.
The Chief Medical Director, Dr. Chukwuma Duru, who conducted the governor around all sections of the hospital, including the wards, theatre, laboratories, etc, drew his attention to the enormous challenges that have impeded the optimal running, performance and effectiveness of the facility as a teaching hospital.
Governor Uzodinma who expressed dismay at the level of dilapidation of structure and equipments in the hospital wondered what happened to some of the hi-tech equipments said to have been installed there, at inception.
He berated management of the hospital for lack of commitment and dedication in running the affairs of such high profile establishment that should be the pride and major revenue earner of the state.
The governor who regretted that the hospital that was conceived and envisaged to offer world class medical services to patients from within and outside the state has functioned and operated below average because it lacked necessary equipments, gadgets and devices. He promised to change the narrative, in no distant time by refurbishing some of the equipments, and taking necessary steps to ensure that the institution’s lost glory is restored and that the students graduate as and at when due.
“IMSUTH will in no distant time, assume it’s rightful place, as a world class medical facility. Necessary renovations will be made and more modem and well equipped buildings constructed to ensure optimal performance”.
He urged management and staff of the hospital to be alive to their responsibilities and ensure that the environment is always clean and health friendly.
Recall, that OPA, a fledging socio-cultural group, comprising technocrats, professionals, business moguls and political heavy weights, had, after x-raying the problem faced by Orlu people at a virtual meeting two weeks ago, lamented the level of infrastructural decay at IMSUTH.
The group in a statement signed by the National President, Hon. Chris Ogiuke, a United States of America based philanthropist and former senatorial candidate on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) alongside the Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ifeanyi Olumba, a former Orlu LGA chairman, drew the governor’s attention to the deplorable state of the institution. They urged him, to as a matter of urgency, expedite action to save the facility from total collapse.
They lamented the hint by the Medical and Dental Council Nigeria that the institution that had already lost accreditation for new intake of students since 2018, was at the verge of losing total accreditation in January next year, if the myriad of challenges facing it are not addressed.
The group’s statement, as published in Nigerian Watchdog Newspaper edition of October 20th noted that, “IMSUTH, that was built to international standard and equipped with state of the art facilitates has lost it’s glory, as a result of abandonment by successive administrations in the state, that played to the gallery without genuine concern and commitment to the health and well being of the people”.
“It is disheartening that IMSUTH which is the only comprehensive government health facility in Orlu zone, that was conceived and envisioned to offer specialist medical services to patients from far and near, in addition to training and retraining of medical personnel, has become a shadow of itself, to the extent that it has lost accreditation for intake of new students and is at verge of losing total accreditation in January next year if government and all concerned fail to do the needful”.
