By CHARLES IWUOHA

Medical Director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Associate Prof. Monday Igwe, has urged Nigerians to assist indigent and abandoned mental health patients to off-set their medical bills and meet up with their daily needs.

Igwe made the plea during the 2021 Thanksgiving and Town Hall Meeting of the hospital held in Enugu on Thursday.

He noted that the current bill and welfare up-keep of the patients, especially those abandoned and indigent, were currently weighing the hospital down financially, notwithstanding that at times staff assist from their personal pockets.

“We have some indigent patients as well as those patients abandoned by their relatives who currently the hospital and its staff are forced to feed, cloth and buy drugs for.

“By our calling and spirit of humanity in us, we cannot leave them to go out of the hospital care and premises as they will constitute danger to themselves, others and property.

“We are calling on good spirited Nigerians especially philanthropists, groups and faith-based organisations to come to our rescue in this aspect especially at this period of celebrations.

“People should remember these indigent and abandoned patients during this special season of sharing,” he said.

The medical director appealed to the Enugu State government, especially the governor's wife, to please add our patients in her schedule for Christmas visit and donations.

Igwe said that the hospital was still faced with lots of challenges chief among them the difficulties associated with replacement of exited staff.

“Other challenges included: high electric tariff and no source of water as public taps do not reach the hospital from Enugu State Water Board.

“Inadequate hostel accommodation for student nurses and payment of outstanding arrears of promotion from 2018 to 2020 among others,” he said.

The medical director, however, said that the highest achievement of the hospital within the year was restoration of peace and cordial working environment among management and staff as well as among staff to staff.

“Other achievements included: conversion of 120 staff with additional qualifications, annual celebration of world mental health days and more staff training and attendance to conferences/seminars.

“Organisation of mock professional examinations for all psychiatric resident doctors in the South-East and procurement of psychological instruments among others,” he added

In an exhortation for the thanksgiving taken from the Holy Bible, Dr Emeka Ude, an evangelist, tasked the staff on commitment and punctuality to work each working day.

Ude, who is also a medical practitioner with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, said: “You positive work and your due diligence on your work should make the difference and attract God’s blessings to the hospital.

“All we do have a reward. Remember that you must one day give an account of your stewardship on the day of reckoning or the judgment Day”.

The event featured open interaction in form of questions and answers between the management and staff on salient issues in the hospital.