Ogwashi Uku Kingdom in Delta State, home of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is set to get a new Mother and Child Clinic at its general hospital.
His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, performed the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
The project initiated and funded by the revered monarch, is expected to address critical healthcare needs of pregnant and expectant mothers, as well as new born within Ogwashi-Uku and neighboring communities.
Facilities in the clinic include general maternity wards, private delivery rooms, incubator suites for neonatal care, a fully equipped pharmacy, among others, which will save the time of women of Ogwashi-Uku who have to travel long distances to Asaba for adequate care.
Speaking at the event, the Obi who was accompanied by key members of the Obi-in-Council with members of Ogwashi-Uku Town Union, local leaders and a large number of community residents in attendance, commended the state government for its efficient healthcare system including the health insurance scheme, free treatment for pregnant mothers and children under five years old among others.
According to Obi Okonjo 11, the mother and child clinic on completion, is expected to significantly assist in reducing the burden on urban hospitals and enhance the overall standard of maternal and child healthcare delivery in Ogwashi Uku and Aniocha south council area in particular and the state in general.
The royal father encouraged expectant mothers to patronise government approved health centres, as many have regretted falling into the hands of quacks.
The chief medical director, (CMD), of the hospital, Dr Lawrence Afinota and his management team in his address described the project as unprecedented, noting that it was the first time he had witnessed a traditional ruler using personal resources to deliver such a vital healthcare initiative.
“In all my years in public health service, I have not heard of or seen a traditional ruler committing personal funds to a project of this scale.
“We are sincerely grateful,” the CMD said, expressing appreciation on behalf of the permanent secretaries of the Delta State Ministry of Health and the state hospital management board for the gesture.
The Omu of Ogwashi-Uku, Edith Rafua, who led women to the event, commended the initiative of the monarch.
“This building is a blessing to the women of Ogwashi-Uku. Many of us have had to travel long distances to Asaba for adequate care. With this, our burdens will be greatly eased,” she said.
Some attendees at the ceremony commended the Obi’s initiative as a landmark example of traditional leadership translating into tangible development outcomes, which they said is reinforcing the monarch’s ongoing efforts to promote health, security, and well-being within Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom
