The Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr Paul Ituma Eze, has commenced the construction of a diagnostic centre and blood bank at the Primary Health Centre, Ngbo Maternity, Ngbo Court Area, to improve maternal healthcare and reduce preventable deaths.
The facilities are expected to improve access to quality healthcare services, particularly for indigent pregnant women in rural communities across the local government area.
Eze said the diagnostic centre and blood bank would be completed and commissioned within 50 days.
The council chairman, a medical laboratory scientist, explained that his decision to establish the facilities was informed by his experiences with pregnant women who lost their lives because they could not afford basic medical tests, medicines and blood transfusions.
He declared that, upon completion, pregnant women in rural communities who could not afford laboratory tests and blood transfusions would receive the services free of charge.
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According to him, no woman in Ohaukwu should lose her life simply because she lacked money for medical tests or blood.
Eze also said the council would collaborate with young medical scientists in Ohaukwu to source blood for the facility, while health sensitisation programmes would be taken to remote communities to promote preventive healthcare and maternal health awareness.
The diagnostic centre will feature a modern medical laboratory, ultrasound and scanning facilities, as well as a standard blood bank for safe blood storage and donation.
Eze said the project aligned with the People’s Charter of Needs of the governor, particularly the administration’s emphasis on improving healthcare delivery across Ebonyi State.
Stakeholders at the event commended the initiative, describing it as people-oriented.
