ABIA MULTI SPECIALIST HOSPITAL ABA AND THE HYPOCRISY OF THE CURRENT ABIA STATE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH

It has become public knowledge that one of the major policy thrusts of the present administration in Abia State is to seek to obliterate any positive thing about the preceeding administration of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. Indeed, this has become an obsession for them.

If there is one thing this present administration has done on a consistent basis since 29th of May, 2023, it is to try to rub mud on the records of its predecessor.

One of their first of such feeble attempts was to accuse the Ikpeazu administration of incurring debts of almost 200 Billion Naira. In crafting this disingenuous narrative, they deliberately refused to tell the public that the amount represented the total aggregate of the entire loan stock of the State including loans inherited from the old Imo State when Abia was created in 1991. The impression they created was that Abia State was born in 2015 when Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu took over as Governor. It is only here in Abia that such poorly crafted stories are heard.

This administration has blatantly refused to acknowledge that the administration of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu did anything positive in the 8 years it held the forte in the State. For them, Ikpeazu built no single road nor any kind of public infrastructure, he paid no kobo as salary nor pension to any worker in Abia State. Indeed, for them, all the problems that face Abia State today started on May 29th, 2015.

The most ridiculous aspect of their warped narrative is that even when they stand in front of public infrastructure built by Ikpeazu's administration, they either pretend not to see them or find some funny way of dismissing such project.

Early this week, Governor Alex Otti was in Aba "to hand over some roads to contractors". At Azikiwe Road which was completely rebuilt end to end by the Ikpeazu administration, the Governor said "here in Azikiwe Road, the only work left here is to clear the drainages and we will do that".

He said nothing about the well built road. Not a word. As long as it would give credence to Ikpeazu, nothing will be said about it.

Last week or so, Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu was at the Ovom International Auto Spare Parts Market, popularly known as the Ovom Mechanic Village, a project that was the brainchild of the Ikpeazu administration from start to finish. Apparently, the private sector partner in project had invited him to come and see that they are ready to open for business. After inspecting the over 650 shop complex, the Deputy Governor went on and on about how the Ikpeazu administration failed to complete the project. Curiously, 24 hours later, billboards sprung up in Aba calling on the public to come and buy shops in the market. The same uncompleted market?

All the instances above however pale into insignificance when compared to what happened yesterday when the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo visited the brand new Abia Multi Purpose Specialist Hospital in Aba.

After moving round the new hospital complex, the Commissioner dismissed the hospital as "UNFIT FOR HUMAN USE BECAUSE OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS, POOR VENTILATION, MISSING OR OLD UNFITTED EQUIPMENT AND WILL REQUIRE STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT".

In making such outlandish statements about a medical facility that is today, the most modern in Abia State, the woman redefined the meaning of mischief and took hypocrisy to a whole new level.

Structural Defects?
How can a medical personnel determine a building that has structural defects just by mere sighting?
This lady is neither a civil nor structural engineer, she didn't go there with any building professional, yet she passed such ridiculous judgment on a solid and modern building complex?

For clarity, the complex was designed by qualified architects and certified by requisite civil and structural engineers, while actual construction was done by the Abia State infrastructural Development Agency through Direct Labor. The complex is there for everyone to go and see.

She also spoke about poor ventilation!
Ventilation? A mere look at the pictures of the hospital building and perhaps, a visit to the place will simply provide the answer. The entire complex is well ventilated and airy.

The most disgusting and disturbing aspect of the comments of the Commissioner are on the state of the equipment in the hospital. She described them as "missing, old and unfitted equipment".

For the avoidance of doubt, the entire equipment in the hospital are BRAND NEW. Not one single equipment there is fairly used. Not one!

On the 26th of May, 2023, then Governor Okezie Ikpeazu appointed Professor Kelechi Okonta as Chief Medical Director of the Abia State Multi Specialist Hospital Aba. Professor Okonta is a Consultant Cardio thoracic Surgeon at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). After May 29th 2023, he sent a message to the new Governor as follows -

"His Excellency Sir,
This is to inform you that I was recently appointed the Chief Medical Director for the Abia Multi Specialist Hospital in Aba.
I just went to see the hospital, and with the structure on the ground, I can tell you that I can turn that place into a world-class center with my local and international experience and collaboration.
Abia State can set the pace in health care in the country and thereby help in restoring its lost glory. I am indeed very happy to contribute my quota in your government to actualize your mandate and give the common man a beacon of hope in our great state.

Thank you,and God bless

Professor kelechi E Okonta
Cardiothoracic surgeon.

On the first day he met with this same Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo who was then Special Adviser on Health, Professor Okonta's appointment was terminated and he promptly returned to UPTH.

For further clarity, some of the brand new medical equipment installed at the hospital include

1. One CT SCAN MACHINE made by FUJIFILM JAPAN SCENARIA VIEW 128 SLICES.

2. One STATIC XRAY MACHINE made by FUJIFILM JAPAN

3. One MAMMOGRAM MACHINE made by FUJIFILM JAPAN

4. One "C ARM" MACHINE made by Allengers Healthcare India

5. One MOBILE XRAY MACHINE made by Allengers, India.

6. 8 DIALYSIS MACHINES made by Fresenius SE and Co, Germany

7. One DIALYSIS MACHINE made by Baxter Prismaflex, USA.

8. One Digiter/CR Machine made by FUJIFILM JAPAN

9. Three 120kva UPS made by FUJIFILM JAPAN

10. 96 220v BATTERIES made by QUANTA, INDIA

11. 16 EXAMINATION COUCHES WITH MATTRESSES

12. 8 PATIENTS TROLLEYS AND STRETCHERS

13. 1O WHEEL CHAIRS

14. 5 SUCTION MACHINES WITH TROLLEY MODEL DOUBLE

There are many others.

I repeat, every single of these equipment were bought brand new!
The CT SCAN MACHINE already described above is the biggest and the best in the entire South East.

In addition, this hospital came with 2 ultra modern, brand new MOBILE CLINICS. These mobile clinics are fully equipped with patient monitors, delivery couches, oxygen cylinders, etc. They were bought in Germany.
The hospital also has inbuilt living quarters for doctors.

This is a medical facility that has 20 private wards and 12 amenity wards. This hospital can support cardiac, renal, and mother and child treatments as well as orthopedics.

The equipment in the hospital as described above makes it an ultra modern diagnostic center that can seamlessly support radiology, Microbiology, hematology, etc.

There are 3 dedicated operating theaters that can provide for accident and emergency, gynecology and other special surgical needs.

Some of the pictures of the hospital and the equipment are in this post.

Ladies and gentlemen, a hospital with these kind of facilities and equipment is what the Commissioner for Health describes as UNFIT FOR HUMAN USE!
How sad and unfortunate!

A serious government would have immediately taken possession of the new hospital and commenced plans to operationalize the place. But it took them over one month to even visit.

Assuming, though by no means conceding that the medical facility is a bad condition, what will a focused administration do? Is it not to take steps to correct whatever anomalies there may be and ensure that tax payers money spent in building the place is put to proper use for the good of the people?

For the umpteenth time, I want to remind the Otti administration that the business of governance is a continuous process. When you come in, you continue from where your predecessors stopped and you carry on from there till your time is up. Your own successor will continue from where you stopped, because no Government in the world has the capacity to solve all the problems of the people.

The naked aversion this present administration has for the out gone administration is terrible. I have never seen a thing like this anywhere.

The Ikpeazu administration inherited some projects that were started by the previous administration. The International Conference Center, the ASUBEB Building and the new Government House were inherited from the administration before him. He completed them and gave due credence to his predecessor for their vision. He also commenced some afresh and completed them like the Abia Investment House.
This is how government runs.

Prior to her appointment, I don't know which public health facility this present Commissioner has managed. I understand that she studied abroad and has been working with some international organizations where she focuses on Health Economics, Costing and Budget. Nothing much is heard about her core clinical experience and hospital management. One thing is sure, if she wants to succeed as Health Commissioner, she should spend more of her time building on foundations already established and improve on what is on ground. She has spent the last one month throwing tantrums and racking up hotel bills, and if she is not careful, she will spend her entire time as Commissioner without achieving anything!

Whether officials of the Otti administration like it or not, facts will remain sacred and the achievements and strides recorded by the administration of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu cannot be obliterated by wishful thinking.

Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka is Spokesman to former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Previous thread https://www.nairaland.com/7763599/ex-governor-ikpeazus-newly-built-hospital-unfit

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As much as the commissioner may be wrong according to diplomats for the outright condemnation, Ememanka is a lawyer and lawyers are liars for the right pay! 😢

shiwex:
The problem with most people that comment here is that they have not been out of the country to see what a proper hospital should look like. Just because the ex governor built this building and called it an hospital does not mean experts should not identify faults in it. The health commissioner is exposed, she has worked in the UK, Us and with WHO, she knows what international standard should be. From what i deduce here, the commissioner is disappointed that with all the money spent, this is what the governor has to show for it.

To a large extent, true.

Most people here saying it’s beautiful don’t realize that a good hospital environment goes beyond shiny paints from the outside.

Wait to hear from the end users, especially the staff. 🥱

Lol, I'm sure she'll clarify her points soon enough though.

But this hospital looks fine from the pictures though.

All na politics do your own part

They said Ikpeazu's white elephant project isn't fit for humans.. which hypocrisy is the poster talking about?

🥺

That woman is really a hypocrite. She should be sacked for playing bad politics.The facilities are already there, just upgrade and utilise. Ikpeazu didnt go away with them while leaving government

Ikpeazu was a complete failure. His minions should Bury their heads in shame.

I don't see anything wrong with the hospital. Governor Alex Otti should be careful with some of these hypocrites in his cabinet. Madam oyibo degree holder wan begin form nonsense and probably cajole the governor to destroy the building and build another one which madam oyibo degree holder will be heavily involved in the new hospital project. Health economist my yansh.

Nigerian politicians all have one thing in common; focusing the first six months on fighting their predecessors, especially if he comes from a different political party

Fun Fact: No party member ever does wrong in the eyes of these politicians

THIS DR NGOZI OKONKWO SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL AND NOT ALLOW HERSELF TO BE USED FOR A SELFISH POLITICAL PURPOSE,

THIS IS NIGERIA AND LOTS OF THINGS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AFTER THEY COMMISSIONED THE HOSPITALS AND HAND OVER,
FOR THOSE OF US THAT UNDERSTANDS HOW THINGS WORK IN NIGERIA, WE KNOW THAT ALOT OF THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN STOLEN BEFORE HER ARRIVAL, AND I'M SURE THAT THERE WAS NO CONSTANT SECURITY THERE,

WAS SHE EXPECTING TO MEET THE GENERATOR ON VIA HER ARRIVAL? IN NIGERIA WHERE FUEL IS NOW EXPANSIVE.




SHE SHOULD BE WISE AND LET THE EX AND NOW GOVERNORS FACE THEMSELVES AND THOSE THAT THEY PUT INCHARGE OF THE HOSPITAL TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES.


EVEN IN A WORKING HOSPITAL HERE IN NIGERIA EQUIPMENTS DISAPPEARS THE SAME DAY IT IS PRESENTED TO THE HOSPITALS,
YOU ARE NOW COMPLAINING OF THE ONE THAT WAS LEFT FOR SOME WEEKS WITHOUT SECURITY.









JESUS IS THS ONLY SAVIOUR,


WEALTH IS GOOD.

Demolish the hospital. That's the new way for nija.
Once a governor comes in, all he will do is to destroy the former governor's legacy even if it will be to destroy infrastructures that worth billions.

The problem with most people that comment here is that they have not been out of the country to see what a proper hospital should look like. Just because the ex governor built this building and called it an hospital does not mean experts should not identify faults in it. The health commissioner is exposed, she has worked in the UK, Us and with WHO, she knows what international standard should be. From what i deduce here, the commissioner is disappointed that with all the money spent, this is what the governor has to show for it.

Attendance: Absent ✖️
I no dey chook mouth for wetin no concern me. I'm outta here nigga

Whose report do we believe

Shots fired.

Ikpeazu built hospitals for animals. Put humans inside. Gave them kerosene and they voted him for 8 year tenure.

Yet it is Tinubu they curse for the same Lagos that pig nose fraud called Mmesoma chose 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice for JAMB.

Hmm....

Imagine

These PDP guys spend more time defending their past failed government.

There's everything fundamentally wrong about this country Nigeria. She's criticising past government as if her self and the government she serves under will be different.

This is already a sign of failure - to begin to wail at inception just like the man in Benue and so many others have done or currently doing, BLAME and KEEP BLAMING.

Buhari did it, 8 years was gone with nothing to achieve. Now states governments are tolling the line to excuse themselves from working.

After wailing, let's wait and see after 4 years and probably 8 years for those of 'em that'll be lucky for second term, if there will be any difference.

Just yesterday or so, NASS members had 2 meetings. The first one they came out with grumbled faces and the second one they came out all smiling because out of the 500 billion naira palliative, 70 billion was allocated to them and possibly sharing formula discussed in the meeting.

NASS don't care about how the palliative will be distributed, who and who in their respective constituency will benefit and how many people in their constituency will be captured. This is Nigeria for you!

And to complicate issue more, the masses don't care to ask questions, involve in governance and also participate in decision making mostly concerning on laws affecting their day to day living, work and business thereby leaving these crooks and potential crooks to subvert the system.

Nigeria politicians

As far as I'm concerned going as far as describing the new health facility as being unfit for human beings was done with malicious intent!

They should get down to fix whatever they think is not right and stop talking

Odummosou:
Bad belle

Reading through the lengthy epistle, couldn't help but notice that Ikpeazu's spokesman carefully avoided addressing the issue of the aforementioned "structural defects".

Water dey leak enter the hospital rooms abi e no dey leak?

Constant electricity supply dey the hospital abi e no dey?

You can afford to put cosmetic and superficial dressings on the hospital to give it a classic outlook. But if the internal system of the structure itself has monumental faults, every other effort is useless.

It is not every Nigerian you can deceive with gargantuan grammar. No be today we begin sabi our politicians and their inherent habit of executing projects with substandard materials just to garner extra profits into their pockets.

Bottomline, Okezie Ikpeazu was a monumental failure!

NastiLord:
I don't see anything wrong with the hospital. Governor Alex Otti should be careful with some of these hypocrites in his cabinet. Madam oyibo degree holder wan begin form nonsense and probably cajole the governor to destroy the building and build another one which madam oyibo degree holder will be heavily involved in the new hospital project. Health economist my yansh.

You will not see anything wrong with it because you are looking at it from a local level. Have you been abroad and see the standard of hospitals. Looking at the picture, i can confidently say this is crap.

I am from Abịa state and a card carrying member of LP and one of the executive in my Ward.
I have not yet been convinced that Alex Otti and his team know what they have come to do in Abia State.