By Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), Prof. Robinson Onoh, have urged both government and private sector players to invest in rural healthcare facilities to reduce high morbidity rates in remote areas.
They made the appeal during the commissioning of the Amaewula Cottage Hospital, an annex of AE-FUTHA, which was donated by the Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH). The project, they said, reflects the importance of public-private partnerships in improving healthcare access.
Speaking at the event, the Minister, represented by Nigeria’s Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Ganiyu Jamiu, emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to expanding healthcare in underserved communities. “We encourage more organizations to follow IGH’s example and build similar hospitals to reduce preventable deaths,” he stated.
Dr. Jamiu also called on the local community to take ownership of the new hospital by ensuring its security and proper use. “This facility belongs to you. Protect it, use it wisely, and raise awareness about the services it offers,” he urged.
He further highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector, stating that plans are underway to start local production of essential drugs. “Our goal is to manufacture more medicines in Nigeria and reduce reliance on imports, ultimately lowering costs for citizens,” he said.
Prof. Onoh praised IGH for its generosity and encouraged more private-sector involvement in rural healthcare. “This hospital will save many lives. Our team will provide daily medical services here to ensure that residents receive the care they need without having to travel long distances,” he assured.
