The Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Professor Monday Igwe, has lauded the Federal Government’s financial investment in developing and expanding services at the hospital within the past three years.
Giving account of his stewardship at a news conference to mark his third anniversary in office on Wednesday in Enugu, Igwe said that the government’s support to reposition the institution and psychiatric healthcare delivery had been unprecedented.
He said that the Board and Management of the hospital greatly appreciate His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for COVID-19 intervention projects that have changed the narrative for the positive in the health sector.
“We also thank the Federal Government for numerous capital projects executed in the hospital in the last three years.
“The sterling leadership qualities of the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, are also commendable.
“The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr Adeleke Mamora, has also been wonderful and committed to the progress of the hospital,” the medical director said.
Igwe, who listed over 40 tangible projects, programmes and training executed or organised, noted that the greatest achievement was the restoration of peace and harmony between management and among various cadres of staff in the hospital.
According to him, one of the major challenges facing the hospital remained provision of water. “Water remains a big challenge as we have to buy all water used by staff and patients daily.
“Another challenge is that of distractions by faceless, baseless, unverifiable and fictitious online publications.
“Recently there were several malicious and unfounded online and social media publications that made negative remarks about the hospital sponsored by disgruntled staff that are opposed to due process and were beneficiaries of the old chaotic situation that characterised the previous administrations,’’ he said.
He said that staff training and attendance to conferences/seminars by all cadre of staff and departments in the hospital had received attention while it also organised mock professional examinations for all psychiatric resident doctors in South-East Nigeria.
Igwe further added that his administration had procured psychological instruments, electroconvulsive therapy machine, electroencephalogram machine and undertook computerisation of revenue collection points, pharmacy, medical records and medical laboratory units.
Other projects undertaken, he said included renovation and furnishing of nursing administration complex; furnishing of the board room; completion and furnishing of new multipurpose complex and renovation of sports complex and procurement of sporting equipment.
The medical director also listed revival of moribund co-operative societies, establishment of new ones; repair of abandoned and vandalised 300KVA generator, purchase of new 100KVA generator and settlement of N15million electricity debt as well as ensuring regular electricity supply as some of his achievements.