Ebele Egoh
The Anambra State Hospital Administrator, Dr. Frank Ifeanaeme, has issued a strong directive to all government hospitals, mandating immediate prioritization of emergency cases and the delivery of truly compassionate, empathetic care to every patient.
The directive was delivered during one of Dr. Ifeanaeme’s routine monitoring visits to General Hospital Enugwu-Ukwu, a vital facility in Njikoka Local Government Area recently upgraded with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a medical oxygen production plant that supplies oxygen across multiple hospitals in the state.
Dr. Ifeanaeme’s inspection began at the emergency unit, where he stressed the non-negotiable need for uninterrupted services.
“I implore you to always make sure that this unit is always open 24/7 so that if there is any emergency, the victims will be attended to immediately,” he declared.
He highlighted that the responsiveness and manner of handling emergencies can restore hope to distressed families, confirming they have brought their loved ones to the right place. He called on medical staff to consistently demonstrate high level of empathy and quick action in life-or-death situations.
This emphasis on emergency readiness complements Anambra’s broader healthcare advancements under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, including the state’s pioneering Anambra State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (ASEMSAS), which operates a fleet of over 35 ambulances and provides rapid response for trauma, cardiac events, and other critical cases.
Shifting to the maternity wing, Dr. Ifeanaeme reinforced the administration’s flagship free maternal healthcare policy introduced in September 2023, which has transformed access to safe childbirth. He issued a stern warning: no expectant mother should pay a single kobo for services from antenatal registration through to delivery, including drugs, laboratory tests, normal deliveries, and Caesarean sections.
He assigned the Director of Nursing Services the responsibility of regularly announcing these fully free services during antenatal visits to eliminate any confusion or hidden charges. “The services made available are free antenatal registration, drugs, laboratory tests, delivery, Caesarian operations, etc.,” he reiterated.
To guarantee strict compliance, Dr. Ifeanaeme committed to personally visiting antenatal clinics to verify that no mother is charged for these essential services until after giving birth. He urged the public to use official hospital contact numbers to clarify any information and report irregularities.
The renewed push for compassionate, accessible care arrives as the free antenatal and delivery programme continues to deliver impressive results. Recent figures show over 90,000 free deliveries, including hundreds of Caesarean sections in the program’s first 18 months, with reports indicating continued growth and near-zero maternal mortality in participating facilities.
Health authorities see Dr. Ifeanaeme’s directive as a vital reinforcement of professionalism, humanity, and accountability in Anambra’s public hospitals, ensuring that emergencies receive instant attention, mothers receive dignified support, and the Soludo administration’s commitment to equitable, high-quality healthcare remains unwavering for all residents.
Ebele is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
