Justin Elson, PH
“Revamping
the hospital is not enough but ensuring that the managers sustain a maintenance
culture that keeps the hospital in good service shape at all times,” noted Igo
Weli, SPDC’s Director and Country Head, Corporate Relations, in his goodwill
message at the reopening ceremonies of Edagberi Cottage Hospital, Ahoada West
Local Government area of Rivers State. He was represented at the occasion by Evans
Krukrubo, the company’s Corporate Relations Manager. He further stressed on the
need for collaboration between the community and the management of the hospital
to ensure availability and continuous service to the community
The 20-bed
hospital, which was ravaged by flood in 2012 had been in ruins since then. The
new lease of life given the multi-million naira facility, and the community,
came through intervention by the NNPC/SPDC/TotalEEergies/NAOC Joint Venture,
which made the reopening possible July.
Speaking at
the occasion, through the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Health
Management Board, Dr. Bright Ogbonda, who represented her, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma
Oreh, River State commissioner for health, described the intervention of Shell
and Its joint venture partners as laudable and would bring health succor to the
community and its environs.
She said, “Shell
and its partners, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited,
have proved that they really value their hosts in the scheme of things and for
which reason we thank the joint venture for coming to the aid of government to
revamp the hospital”
Adding his
voice to the effort of the Joint partnership, SPDC’s Community Health Manager,
Dr. Akin Fajola, observed that the close collaboration between the state
government, the community leadership and the joint venture partners made the
revamp project a success. He further advocated for stronger collaboration
between the community and SPDC for a peaceful environment and further
development of the Host communities in the Niger Delta regions.
Among the
dignitaries that graced the occasion was the traditional head of Edagberi, King
Sunny Ubele Okilomakie.
Over 700
people benefitted from a medical outreach programme which formed part of the
reopening programme. On offer by the Outreach includes surgical
services, general consultation and treatment, pharmaceutical services, laboratory
services including grouping and cross matching, a blood bank for blood
transfusion, emergency services, handling of minor procedures and
immunization services.
The Edagberi
Cottage Hospital is one among five such facilities, and other social investment
projects, backed by the Joint Venture partnership in the State. A standard
laboratory, blood bank, diagnostics
centre, maternity ward, among others,
including a staff quarters and an ambulance were all provided in the renovation.