By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Prof. Monday Igwe, has hailed the Federal Government for three years of unprecedented development and expansion of services at the hospital.

Igwe gave the commendation in a press briefing to mark his three years in office and the stewardship of management of the hospital ably supported by the Federal Government to reposition psychiatric healthcare delivery in the South-East.

According to him, 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.

He said: “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, who reeled out over 40 tangible projects, programmes and training, noted that the greatest achievement was the restoration of peace and harmony between management and staff as well as among various cadre staff in the hospital.

He noted that the major challenges facing the hospital remained provision of daily water for the hospital, adding: “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 by disgruntled staff that are opposed to due process and were beneficiaries to the old chaotic situation that characterised the previous administration.

“Recently there were several malicious and unfounded online and social media publications that made negative remarks about the hospital.

“Under my administration, staff welfare is paramount and due process is strictly observed. Decisions are also taken based on Public Service Rules.

“Any staff that has issues or complaints is advised to route such through the stipulated channels and not by social media,” he warned.

On the achievements, Igwe said that with the period, a total of 150 staff were converted who had additional qualifications verified and confirmed as well as the hospital joining in the celebration of World Mental Health on Oct. 10 yearly.

He said: “Staff training and attendance to conferences/seminars of all cadre of staff and departments as well as organization of mock professional examinations for all psychiatric resident doctors in South-East Nigeria.

“Procurement of psychological instruments; procurement of electroconvulsive therapy machine; procurement of electroencephalogram machine and computerisation of revenue collection points, pharmacy, medical records and medical laboratory units.

“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.

“Reactivation of moribund co-operative societies and establishment of new ones; repair of abandoned and vandalized hospital 300KVA generator and purchase of new 100KVA generator and settlement of N15million electricity debt and maintenance of regular light supply among others”.

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