The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) has commissioned a cottage hospital in Ute-Erumu community, Ika North East LGA of Delta.
President of the association, Mrs. Victoria Irabor, who spoke at the commissioning of the project on Friday in Ute-Erumu, said the idea of the project was muted long time ago.
She disclosed that the project was borne out of her love and passion to touch the lives of her people and wide consultation with Mrs Edith Okowa, wife of the state governor.
“We planned this project a long time ago, but it did not happened as we had wish. However, today it has come to past and I am very glad.
“The idea of the cottage hospital project was conceived after due consultation with Mrs Okowa. I felt the need to toe same line with what she is doing in the health sector.
“I realised she has made giant strides in the health sector where she has impacted lives with numerous projects under her 05 initiative.
“I felt that giving my community a cottage hospital will bring joy to my family, where my mother is a retired nurse, and two of mu siblings, medical doctors”, Irabor said
Earlier before the inauguration, the DEPOWA president had led the wives of other service chiefs and the police on a courtesy call on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at Government House, Asaba.
She said the purpose of the visit was to intimate the governor of the completion of the cottage hospital at Ute Erumu and solicit the state government’s assistance in the management of the facility.
Responding, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa commended Mrs Irabor and DEPOWA for the successful execution of the hospital project in Ute Erumu community.
He noted that the project would go a long way in complementing the state government’s effort at providing affordabe healthcare to the people at the grassroot.
“I am so excited that you are here with us today and let me say that your coming home at a time that matters most to us.
“We welcome anything that will improve the health of the family, so as you attend to our wives, children and mothers, you are indeed working for the greatest cause.
“Health indices cannot be considered to much, so any assistance to improve on this, is highly welcomed”, Okowa said.
The inauguration of the hospital drew hundreds of community youths,women and the elderly to the ceremony ground, which also have in attendance the paramount rruler of Ute Okpu Kingdom, HRH King Solomon Chukwuka.
In a vote of thanks, King Chukwuka lauded Mrs. Irabor for the initiative and expressed the appreciation of the people of the community for the project.
“I must say that what we are witnessing today will remain evergreen in the history of our community. We will forever remain grateful to you.
“As our daughter, we are proud of you and commend your contribution in making life meaningful for our people with this hospital project”, Chukwuka said.
Also in a remark, the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Edith Okowa expressed appreciation to the DEPOWA president for the show of love to her community of Ute Erumu.
Mrs. Okowa, who assisted Mrs. Irabor in the cutting of the tape to officially declare the hospital opened, said the gesture is a welcomed development to the entire people of Ute Kingdom.
She said: “We are very happy and glad for this project and many other initiatives of you and your husband both at home and in Abuja.
“What you have done here today is a form of giving back to the community that gave you so much in life and I must tell you that your people are proud of you.”
NAN reports that the hospital facility has spacious male, female and children wards, labouratory room, pharmacy, delivery room and treatment room.
Other features of the facility include, antenatal room, two consulting rooms, nurses office, doctors office and stores.