Chukwu Obinna
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has inaugurated a 100-bed Renewed Hope Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Oko Ita, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, aimed at improving maternal and child health services in the region.
The state-of-the-art facility was constructed under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and is fully equipped to provide comprehensive maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care to residents of the local community and surrounding areas.
Representing the governor on Wednesday at the inauguration, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for making resources available for the construction and furnishing of the facility. She emphasised the hospital’s role in complementing the state’s healthcare delivery initiatives.
“Our President understands that health is wealth,” Governor Eno said in his message. “The commissioning of this hospital speaks to the President’s commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of the people, especially those in rural areas, as well as his resolve to implement Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on good health and well-being.”
The governor also highlighted the state’s broader health initiatives, including the establishment of model Primary Health Centres across the ten federal constituencies. He further revealed plans for a soon-to-be-commissioned 350-bed Ibom International Multi-Specialist Hospital intended to promote medical tourism within the state.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire described the facility as one of several constructed nationwide to reduce maternal and child mortality and increase access to quality healthcare. She confirmed that 45 similar hospitals have been built across Nigeria through partnerships between her office and sub-national governments. “While our 2024 SDGs Progress Report reveals sobering statistics in maternal health, this centre represents a meaningful step forward in addressing those gaps,” she noted.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire called for strengthened focus on antenatal and postnatal care, skilled birth attendance, and full immunisation coverage. She also pledged continued collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government to further upgrade the hospital by providing residential accommodation for medical personnel and expanding the facility to meet the standards of a general hospital
