“Says the facility will improve access to primary healthcare, ensure preventive care services”
The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, PhD, has stated that she would continue to advocate for legislation for critical reforms in the health sector, adding that access to quality healthcare is the right of every citizen irrespective of socio-economic status. The Senator noted that she was focused to improving healthcare services at the grassroots.
Ekwunife, who made these remarks on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at the flag off ceremony of the construction of 20-bed healthcare centre at St. John Catholic Church, Neni community, Anaocha LGA, explained that quality healthcare services play critical role in the economic stability of countries. She advised government at all levels to invest in healthcare, noting that accessible and affordable primary healthcare services ensure early management of health challenges.
Continuing, the federal lawmaker who was represented by a delegation of her project team led by the former Anambra state commissioner of Women Affairs, Lady Henrietta Agbata said that the project was designed to provide constituents access to basic healthcare, stressing that its operation will be in line with international best practices. According to her, upon completion the facility will provide employment for the teeming youths and enhance the economy of the area.
While welcoming the delegation, the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Chudi Peter Akaenyi said that Ekwunife has always shown that she has the interest of the people at heart, adding that the project means a lot to the downtrodden and less privileged in the society. He narrated how he received a phone call from Ekwunife a few weeks ago indicating her willingness to site the facility in the community.
Speaking further, the cleric conveyed the appreciation of the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor to the A-grade lawmaker, assuring that upon completion the facility will serve the public without any hindrances.
“The facility will be for the general use of the public under the supervision of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, and we are promising that there will not be any hindrance from any person in need of healthcare services”, he noted.
In their respective remarks, the Parish Vicar, Fr. Raymond Umennajiuba and the headmistress of St. John Model Nursery and Primary School, Rev Sis Patricia Ngwuemo lauded Ekwunife for always improving the quality of lives of the people of Anambra state. They said that she is an exemplary lawmaker and not part of those elected officers who always show up every election cycle.
On his part, the Chairman of the laity council, Mazi Ikechukwu Ude Anisiobi described Ekwunife as a lawmaker who is very compassionate about the downtrodden and constituents at large. He prayed God to enrich the lawmaker with more years in public service to continue to do more for humanity.