…Decries Leaders Penchant for Patronizing Foreign Hospitals
By Mmasuabuchi Onwumelu and R.A. Yakubu
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Friday, 18th July, commissioned the newly renovated Regina Caeli Specialist Hospital’s General Out-Patients Department (GOPD) and Maternity Wards, even as he advocated for equipping and upgrading hospitals in the country with modern and sophisticated facilities.
Speaking shortly before the commissioning, Bishop Ezeokafor stressed the importance of providing adequate healthcare facilities, stating that the Church was doing everything possible to ensure that a conducive environment was provided for patients, pregnant women on ante-natal, as well as those who had given birth to newborns.
The health-conscious Bishop, while commissioning the edifice, eulogized the Management and staff of the hospital led by Rev Father Innocent Affusim, saying that what they had done were in line with the Church’s resolve to improve the health sector that could compete favourably with it counterparts across the globe.
Bishop Ezeokafor who took his time to inspect the maternity wards and the GOPD, berated Nigerian political leaders who, he said, always embarked on medical tourism abroad in search of adequate treatment and attention, urging them to invest heavily in all the country’s hospitals and upgrade and equip them very well to meet the international standards.
Appreciating Bishop Ezeokafor for making out time to come and bless the facilities, the Manager of the Regina Caeli Specialist Hospital, Rev Fr Affusim, said they were in for a serious life-saving business and were also taking care of many ailments.
He said they thought it wise to refurbish the wards and the General Out-Patients Department to make it more conducive and habitable for both the staff, visitors, and patients.
The Prelate was accompanied to the event by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi; immediate past Chancellor of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Chidume; the Director of Fides Media Limited, Rev. Fr. Robert Anagboso; Bishop’s Assistant Secretary and Deputy Director of Fides, Rev. Fr. Constantine Echichechi Okoli; the immediate Past Director of Fides Media Limited, Rev. Fr. Dr. Martin Anusi; Rev. Fr. Peter Uzoezie; among others.
Blessing of the wards and GOPD, group photographs, and inspection formed the highpoints of the commissioning.