For decades, residents of Ayamelum Local Government Area in Anambra State lived in fear each time illness struck.
Without a single functional hospital nearby, accessing healthcare meant long, risky trips to other towns, often with tragic outcomes.
But that painful reality is beginning to change following the recent inauguration of the Solution General Hospital, Anaku, by the state government.
During an inspection tour of the facility, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, listened as residents shared emotional stories of loss and hardship that underscored the importance of the new hospital.
Mrs. Nneka Okafor, a farmer from Umumbo community, recalled losing a relative during childbirth because they could not reach a hospital in time.
“We used to travel several miles by motorcycle just to get medical help at Umueri. Sometimes, people died on the way.
My co-wife went into labour one night, and before we could find a motorcycle to take her to the general hospital in Umueri, she passed away. I can never forget that loss.
Now, we have a hospital right here in our community. That alone gives us peace of mind,” she said.
For Pa Anthony Onochie, the opening of the hospital marks the end of a painful chapter.
“For decades, we lived in fear every time someone fell sick. Getting treatment was a daily struggle,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Ebere Onuchukwu, a mother of three from Omasi community, recounted losing her sister on the pothole-ridden road to Otuocha during childbirth.
“She bled to death before we got to the hospital.
“Before now, childbirth was a huge risk. With this new hospital now functioning, we can at least hope for safe deliveries,” she said.
The President-General of Anaku community, Mr. Paul Nwauba, explained that before the hospital’s construction, residents had to travel long distances to places like Otuocha, Nsugbe, Onitsha, Umueri or even Awka for medical care.
“Those long and expensive trips often led to loss of lives, particularly during emergencies.
“For the people of Ayamelum, the new hospital is a beacon of hope and healing after years of neglect.
“We are grateful to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for this facility,” Nwauba said.
He added that the community had pledged to protect the hospital and ensure its proper maintenance.
Pa John Ejimofor, 72, expressed joy that the facility had restored dignity to the people of Ayamelum.
“For the first time, our children will be born in a proper hospital within our own land. I never thought I would live to see a government hospital here,” he said.
For Mr. Chukwudi Nwafor, a commercial motorcyclist, the hospital also means financial relief.
“We used to spend over N10,000 just to transport a sick person to another town. Now, that money can be used for treatment and drugs,” he said.
The youth leader of Anaku, Mr. Christopher Obiorah, revealed that his father and seven others recently underwent free hernia surgeries at the hospital following its commissioning on October 23.
“The hospital is already changing lives. It will also drive development in our area,” he said.
During the visit, health workers were seen attending to patients.
The facility provides maternal and child care, emergency services, laboratory tests, surgeries, immunization, essential drugs, and eye care.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Obidike described the hospital as part of Governor Soludo’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery, especially in rural and underserved communities.
“Governor Soludo is intentional about bridging the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas. No Anambra citizen should die because they cannot afford or access medical care,” he said.
He added that the administration’s vision is to establish one functional general hospital in every local government area of the state.
Other facilities inspected during the tour included the General Hospital, Ekwulobia; Specialist Hospital, Fegge, Onitsha; Rehabilitation Centre, Nibo; and Trauma Centre at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka.
