Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, says the Ibom International Hospital project in Uyo will provide specialised healthcare services to residents of the state and beyond when completed.
Eno gave the assurance during an inspection of the project site, barely two months after the foundation stone was laid, to assess the pace and quality of work.
The Governor expressed optimism that the facility would rank among the best medical facilities in Nigeria and Africa when completed.
He commended the Commissioner for Health, lead contractor, project coordinator, doctors and other professionals involved in the project for their commitment and expertise.
“I believe we will deliver for Akwa Ibom people, a world-class medical facility, not just for Akwa Ibom, but within the region,” he said.
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Eno described the project as part of his administration’s investment in healthcare, saying the wellbeing of residents remained central to his development agenda.
He highlighted the cancer treatment component of the facility, noting that limited access to early diagnostic services often resulted in late detection of the disease, making treatment more difficult.
According to him, “the hospital would provide opportunities for regular medical examinations and early detection of health conditions, thereby improving treatment outcomes.”
The Governor also urged residents to embrace health insurance, warning that specialised treatment and surgical procedures could be beyond the reach of many families paying medical bills out of pocket.
“Hospitals like this, having insurance policy is the only way a lot of us would benefit from it because there are treatments you may want to access here but may not be able to pay the bills,” he said.
He urged residents to voluntarily enrol in health insurance schemes, noting that affordable options were already available.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, said; “the medical community was involved in the conception and development of the project.”
John said the state government engaged 25 health-sector unions, with about 40 consultants assessing the state’s healthcare needs and determining the facilities and services required.
The project team said construction was progressing simultaneously across the three major wings, with teams working day and night to accelerate completion.
The Consultant and Coordinator, Dr Teinye Isokariari, said Governor Eno had set June 2027 as the delivery target, but the team was working to complete the project ahead of schedule.
The Structural Engineer, Mohammed Bita, said the three wings were being developed as independent projects to fast-track construction and ensure timely delivery.
The hospital is expected to strengthen specialised healthcare delivery, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and reduce the need for residents to travel outside the state for specialised medical services.
Victoria Ibanga
