By Juliet Ekwenugo
Otukpo
The Och’Idoma and Paramount Ruler of the Idoma Kingdom has urged the Federal Government to urgently scale up funding and fast-track ongoing projects at the Federal University Health Teaching Hospital (FUHTH), Otukpo, to enable it attain full teaching hospital status.
The monarch made the appeal after a royal inspection of the facility where he toured wards, diagnostic units and ongoing construction projects in the company of palace officials. He was received by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Teddy Agida.
Speaking after the visit, the royal father acknowledged federal efforts in establishing the hospital but stressed that expanded intervention had become imperative in view of increasing patient inflow and its academic mandate.
“I acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government in establishing and supporting this noble institution. However, given the increasing patient load and expanded academic mandate, more federal intervention, funding and accelerated completion of key projects are urgently required to meet teaching hospital standards”.
The Och’Idoma, while emphasising that the primary responsibility rests with the Federal Government, commended Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) for his contributions to the development of the hospital.
He noted that Obla funded the construction of the Amenity/VIP Ward and earlier financed the establishment of the hospital’s Kidney Centre, now described as one of the leading renal care facilities in the country.
He described the interventions as patriotic and worthy of emulation, adding that private sector participation remained critical in bridging infrastructural gaps.
The monarch also appealed to philanthropists, corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations, development partners and well-meaning Idoma sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to support the hospital through construction of wards and specialised units, donation of equipment, sponsorship of laboratories and hostels, as well as research and staff development.
Highlighting priority areas requiring urgent attention, the Och’Idoma listed expansion of clinical facilities, including additional medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic, oncology and isolation wards; a fully equipped Accident and Emergency unit; Intensive Care Units (ICU) and High Dependency Units (HDU); modern maternity and neonatal facilities, including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); and expanded dialysis services.
On diagnostic capacity, he called for standard laboratories covering haematology, microbiology, histopathology and molecular diagnostics, as well as advanced imaging equipment such as CT scan, MRI, digital X-ray, ultrasound and mammography.
He also underscored the need for well-equipped theatres and a physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre.
The monarch further stressed the academic component of the hospital, advocating the establishment of clinical skills and simulation laboratories, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, a functional medical library with e-learning facilities and adequate residency accommodation for medical personnel.
He equally identified stable power supply, water systems, waste management, electronic medical records, staff quarters, student hostels and improved access roads as essential infrastructure needed to guarantee uninterrupted operations and staff retention.
“These facilities are essential not only for quality patient care but also for the effective training of future doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. A teaching hospital must be fully equipped to meet academic, clinical and research demands”.
The Och’Idoma maintained that strengthening FUHTH would enhance healthcare delivery in Benue South and neighbouring areas, reduce medical referrals outside the state and contribute to the training of skilled health professionals.
“Health is a collective responsibility. The strength of a people is measured by how they care for the sick, train the young and prepare for the future. Let us build together and leave a lasting legacy through a well-equipped teaching hospital in Otukpo”.
