Joe Akabuike, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, chief medical director, says the health facility spends N12.1 million monthly on electricity supply.

Mr Akabuike disclosed this on Thursday when he received the health commissioner Afam Obidike, during his ongoing tour of health facilities.

He informed the commissioner that the facility invested in power supply “because it is critical to the hospital’s operations.”

He added that “our greatest challenge is power supply,” forcing the hospital to spend “about N12.1 million on power supply every month” to sustain its operations.

“No system is perfect anywhere. In spite of many challenges, we are managing the available resources to deliver quality healthcare to residents and ensure comfortable working conditions for our health workers,” explained Mr Akabuike. “Since I assumed office, we have been able to renovate and put up new structures such as the on-call room for doctors and an ultra-modern hospital mortuary.”

Some of the consultants at the meeting identified shortage of manpower, inadequate office and clinic space, as well as medical equipment among challenges plaguing the hospital.

Responding, the commissioner said Governor Charles Soludo was committed to building health institutions that would be efficient, affordable and accessible for residents.

“The governor had directed that we tour hospitals and hold service audit meeting to ascertain their strengths and weaknesses, in terms of service
delivery and workers’ welfare,” noted the health commissioner. “At the end of the day, we should come up with an action plan to address the challenges to improve healthcare service delivery in the state.”

Mr Obidike further mentioned that the Anambra government had started employing doctors and nurses to address manpower deficit in tertiary and secondary health facilities in the state.

The government is also working to procure modern medical equipment and upgrade health facilities across the state. I’m appealing to our medical staff to imbibe teamwork and be committed and dedicated to their duties to ensure effective service delivery,” he said.

(NAN)