The ongoing construction of ESUT College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital at Igbo Eno, is one of the most under-discussed pet projects of the present administration in Enugu. But it will be unfair to allow this to continue undermined in the minds of our people. Igbos have the proverb that “Eto Dike n’ nke O mere, O mekwa ozo” (when an achiever is acknowledged, he achieves more).
What is going on at the Igbo-Eno permanent site of ESUT College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital will break all records and change narratives about tertiary health-care facilities in Nigeria. Never in the history of our nation have we had such mega sophisticated hospital of that magnitude.
Four more than three decades, Enugu state University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has been in dire need of a befitting teaching hospital. Its medical and health students had found themselves biting their lips in frustration as they could not graduate in due time for wanton lack of requisite demonstration facilities.
There had been delay after another, for many sets, altering the school academic calendar. But reprieve came their way when His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi came to power. His promise to reposition all institutions of higher learning in the state for what he called “optimal yield” paid off for the school in general. He took the bold step to give ESUT what it has been yearning for, all these while.
This is to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to all residents of Enugu State, as well as make the state a choice destination for healthcare tourism, despite the nation’s economic challenges as well as the state’s lean resources.
The health facilities made up of two sections of a Teaching Hospital, seating on two floors (the outpatient department of seven sections and in-patient department with 200-bed wards); a College of Medicine comprising 2 units of 12 classroom blocks, 2 units of 10 classroom blocks, 2 units of 8 classroom blocks and 2 units of 208 student-capacity hostel; and provision for the construction of a helicopter landing pad (helipad) reserved for hospital emergency operations, were adjudged as “simply unbelievable” and in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standard, by the Management of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, during their recent validation visit to the site.
In consultation with experts and relevant stakeholders, this massive facility is being sited at Igbo Eno in Enugu north senatorial zone. The management, staff and students of that citadel of learning had hissed a sigh of relief. The siting of the institution was also strategic, as it provides solution to several genuine concerns of Enugu people.
First it quelled the agitation of Nsukka people that there is no tertiary health-care facility in Nsukka land, while Enugu town has all the concentrations of not less than 14 of such institutions.
It answer to the cravings of education stakeholders that it is unfair to have Enugu town house both the main campus and Teaching Hospital of ESUT. There was the need to decentralize the amenities across the untapped sites of the state.
Those who are complaining that Parklane Hospital currently being used as the Teaching Hospital is congested are glad to see more spacious sites commissioned for it.
The speed at which the work is progressing at the site is simply eye popping. It can only be Governor Ugwuanyi who could dare such gigantic project at hiked frightening speed.
God bless His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Lawrence, Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi.
Hon. Mrs Bibian Anekwe
The Senior Special Assistant on mobilization and Empowerment to Enugu State Governor
