After several years of neglect, the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Referral Hospital in Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, is witnessing a major facelift as renovation work is nearing completion.
The intervention by the state government is gradually changing the outlook of a hospital that, for years was characterised by deteriorated access road, poor infrastructure and inadequate facilities.
The Nigerian Tribune reported that the deterioration started about 10 years ago, gradually dropping the hospital’s ward capacity to 30 beds and at sometime, the number of patients further dropped to five.
The 84-bed facility, as it were, was a beehive of activities, as cases of the airborne diseases, at various local government areas in and outside the state, were duly referred to the centre.
There were at least 10 nurses running on three shifts and two medical doctors.
Outpatients were so confident to get drugs anytime they visited on their clinical days because the hospitals hardly run out of stock.
The community called ‘Ossiomo’ inhabited by People Affected with Leprosy ( PALs) bubbled with activities even as worship centres flourished.
Different organizations, including churches oftentimes visited the community to donate foods, clothing materials for the wellbeing of the pals and patients.
Investigation revealed that these units were to receive patients and subsequently refer them to Eku if the cases are beyond them.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that as the number of medical personnel tinned down drastically at Eku , the policy was arbitrarily abused.
At the last count before the commencement of the renovation, there were less than five patients in the ward, two nurses and a doctor working in the most uncongenial environment as weeds took over the space while wards battled with reptiles.
Nevertheless, the Sheriff Oborewvori administration came to the rescue by restoring hope to TB and leprosy patients as it decided to award a multi million naira contract to return the referral centre to its glorious days.
According to the state commissioner for health, Dr Joseph Onojame, the ongoing work represents a fresh effort to restore the dignity and functionality of the Eku referral centre and improve the environment in which patients are treated and healthcare workers perform their duties.
The intervention, he said, is also consistent with the wider healthcare infrastructure renewal being pursued by the state government under Governor Oborevwori’s administration MORE agenda.
The commissioner spoke about strengthening secondary healthcare facilities through improved infrastructure and modern medical equipment, while assuring that the Ministry of Health would closely monitor all health-sector projects .
Dr Onojame assured that the renovation of TBL Eku is on course and would be delivered as schedule adding that
TB units at general hospitals would always be there while the Eku center is meant to take care of very complicated cases.
He said cases of tuberculosis in the state had dropped drastically .
Meanwhile PALs in the ‘Ossiomo’ colony at Eku have commended the state government for the massive renovation.
According to them, the initiative by Gov Oborewvori will make the hospital come back to life once more and reawake the economic activities at the colony which has been in doldrums for many years.
Some of them however called for more staff and security personnel at the completion of the ongoing work..
With the intervention , stakeholders are watching to see the emergence of a modern, functional referral facility capable of providing safe and dignified care to patients who depend on it.