From left is Dr. Mrs. Ophelia Mathews, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, Imo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Victor Mere ( putting on white caftan), and Dr. Nixon Udeji
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru has thumbed up, a multi million Naira ultra modern health facilities, Ophelia Medical Diagnostic Center, Amalim in Ikeduru LGA of the State facilitated by Dr. Mrs. Ophelia Mathews, describing it as a patriotic humanitarian investment.
Ekomaru disclosed this on Tuesday during a well attended grand opening ceremony and commissioning of the center, a subsidiary of Ophelia Solution Behavioral Health Hospital.
The Deputy Governor also observed that her Investment in the health sector is in tandem with the State government, Shared Prosperity administration’s mantra of think home philosophy.
She applauded her principal, Governor Hope Uzodimma for his administration’s commitments in providing enabling environment for businesses to thrive as well as their advanced plans in providing 24 hours power supply to the State.
Ekomaru further revealed their administration’s willingness for collaborative partnerships, more especially in health sector and other socioeconomic activities that would be beneficial to the populace.
The Deputy Governor also commended Dr. Mrs. Ophelia Mathews for her patriotism and investment in health care delivery services noting her vision as also being in tandem with the State government’s commitments in rehabilitation and equipping of all the Health Centers and general hospitals in the State with modern equipment as well as training and retraining of the State’s health personnels.
She advised the people to register for the ongoing Health Insurance Scheme in the State for their easier access to the State’s free and qualitative health delivery services.
Ekomaru further enjoined the people for their adequate patronages and protections of the center facilities, informing of the State government plans to bring professional Indian medical personnels to help in the realization of the State government comprehensive and qualitative health care delivery services to the people.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Dr. Mrs. Ophelia Mathews, the founder and CEO of the Center expressed gratitude to Imo State government for their commitments in improving health care delivery services in the State and their encouragement towards entrepreneurship.
She vehemently decried the ill treatments she recently received from Nigeria Custom Services at Port Harcourt Air Port who she accused of unduly attempt to seize her ultra modern cargo medical equipments and diagnosis machine, she bought for the center.
Mathews who’s a New York, USA based medical expert further expressed disappointment to Nigeria Immigration Embassy for their unpatriotically denial of visas to two of her foreign partners that voluntarily wanted to assist in her rural free comprehensive medical mission as against how they were, magnanimously received in other third world countries they have visited for medical outreaches and missions.
She describing the project as a significant milestone of a long time held dream turned reality. ” This center stands as the first of its kind in our great community. It’s not just a building; it’s a symbol of Hope, resilience, and healing”.
Mathews who hails from Duruahazie in Umueze Abazu Ogwa autonomous community in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State pointed out that the vision was born from a place of deep sorrow and determination, while recalling with deep grief, the death of her beloved uncle, Mr. Gilmore Udeji, who she said, died at the age of 55 years, on February 2nd, 2006, from illness associated to diabetic hypertension.
” His death was not only painful, it was preventable. The absence of a proper diagnostic facility and timely medical intervention denied him the care he needed most. A good and caring man, his death left a mark on my soul. How I wish, he is alive today, to witness what once seemed impossible, becoming a reality.
“This is more than just the opening of a medical center, it’s the beginning of a new dawn for our community. No longer will our people face the hardship of traveling far for healthcare. No longer will lives be lost, due to delayed medical attention. The challenges, that once defined our health care, the tears, the pains, and the helplessness ends today “.
While thanking Dr. Nixon Udeji and his team for an excellent sensitization, mobilization and planning, she insisted that the center is also a product of inspiration, passion, and deep commitments to prevent careless death.
According to her, ” Ophelia Medical Diagnostic Center is here to serve, to heal, and to offer our people access to quality, life-saving care. Our mission is simple, yet profound : To save lives, and now, that mission is within your reach” she stated.
Speaking also, Dr. Nixon Udeji, the Facilitator of the programme gave kudos to the financier for remembering her root and for giving back to the society despite her exposures.
Udeji who is a Senior Lecturer with Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri reiterated the essence of health and lauded the mammoth crowd for honouring the invitation.
He pointed out that the medical diagnostics center also has a vision of being one of the best in the State and would operate under the confines of global best practices.
The Facilitator also appreciated the Deputy Governor for her patience, tolerance, humility and for being partners in progress noting her presence as a justification of the State government collaborative interest in the Medical Diagnostic Center which he also referred as a hallmark of medical referral center especially within the area.
Adding his voice, Hon.Victor Mere, who presided over the ceremony pointed out that, what Dr. Mrs. Ophelia Mathews did, is a replica of what the State government is doing towards enhancing the health status of her citizenry.
Mere who in the recent past represented Owerri Municipal State Constituency in Imo House of Assembly and was then made, House Committee Chairman on Health, recalled that, it was their idea while in government that brought about the need to consolidate health insurance in the State , which he said, they started then with the big 7 general hospitals in the State.
Mere who is also an expert in Medical Laboratory Diagnosis Technology further commended Imo State government for her doggedness in making the State Health Insurance Policy a reality, informing that he’s part of the success story as many citizens of the State have benefitted immensely from the scheme, especially pensioners and civil servants in the State.
He maintained that Ophelia Medical Diagnostic Center is established to consolidate on the State government efforts in improving the State health sector and would be a referral center hub for all the entire medical facilities within and outside the area while enjoining the communities around to make use of the center for their health investigation issues.
Highlights of the occasion includes: official commissioning/ flagging off of the center by Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, Imo State Deputy Governor, comprehensive free medical examination and treatment for over 500 patients, as well as entertainment galore.
