From Steve Oko, Umuahia
The rising cases of HIV/AIDS in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State has become a source of concern to the Chief Matron, Umunneochi General Hospital, Mrs. Jane Ezechinyerugo.
According to the Matron, over 50 cases of HIV/AIDS are recorded at the General Hospital every month.
The Matron who made the revelation Monday when he took delivery of drugs and hospital disposables donated by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, raised alarm over the health danger the sad development poses to the populace.
Linking the worrisome development to the presence of commercial sex workers at the Lokpanta Cattle Market in the area, the Matron appealed to government to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Mrs. Ezechinyerugo who also decried the prevalence of malaria, high blood pressure, arthritis, and diabetes in the area, appealed for resuscitative drugs to meet up with the needs of patients.
The Matron lauded Senator Ohuabunwa for donating essential drugs and hospital disposables which she said would tremendously help in treatment of patients.
She also said the items would help to eliminate Out of Stock, syndrome in the hospital , adding that it is the first time any politician had donated such large quantity of medicaments to the hospital under her watch.
She further identified malaria, high blood pressure, arthritis, and diabetes as rampart diseases in the area.
Handing over the items on behalf of Senator Ohuabunwa, Special Assistant to the Governor Chief Felix Ukpabi, and the Umunneochi LGA Coordinator of the Follow Better Organisation, Hon. Charles Ike, said the gesture was part of his contributions to improve health care services in the council.
They urged the management of the hospital to make judicious use of the items, while pledging the senator’s continued support to the hospital and other health facilities in the zone.
The items include cartons of cough syrup, paracetamol, infusions, and anti allergy drugs for children.
Ohuabunwa who represented Abia North in the eight Senate had made similar donations to other General Hospitals in all the LGAs in the zone.
