New York [RR] AWKA—Dialysis provides an artificial function in people with kidney failure and /or others with chronically worsening kidney condition. Kidney as a vital organ in the body plays the role of maintaining the body’s internal equilibrium of water and minerals like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfate etc.

As the body malfunctions due to defective kidney, the process of   expelling waste products is achieved through the function of dialysis.   Kidneys also function as a part of the endocrine system producing erythropoietin which is involved in production of red blood cells. It plays another role in calcitriol which plays a role in bone formation.

Markedly, dialysis is an imperfect alternative to a functioning kidney because unlike kidney itself, it fails to do the job of correcting a malfunctioning endocrine. However, dialysis does some of these functions through diffusion, which is waste removal and ultra filtration –fluid removal.

In this light, one is baffled that rather than being consumed by distractions and unnecessary blind opposition, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state has moved on to better the lives of his people in all sectors through ANIDS. Rather than travelling to India and other places abroad , Anambra people and entire Nigerians would now benefit from the center even at a lower price than what it would be obtainable elsewhere.

Obi commissioned the Dialysis Unit of the State Heart, Kidney and Breast Centre at the Onitsha General Hospital, Onitsha. The project was initiated and executed by Governor Obi’s administration but was equipped in collaboration with MTN Foundation. This marked the first time a Government Hospital is having such a facility in the State since its creation in August, 1991.

The unit as reported has among other things two haemo-dialysis machines, two electronically powered dialysis beds, water treatment unit, water pre-treatment unit, borehole facilities and power generators.

 Governor Obi’s administration has the drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in good time. He was quoted as saying that the same equipment would be extended to Amaku and Ekwulobia General Hospitals, where massive construction work is going on.

 To the admiration of well meaning citizens of Anambra state Obi told them that  all machines and equipment needed for the Heart and Breast Centre are already on ground and that installation will soon start by international experts. Obi has worked so hard that today the healthcare delivery status of the state has changed, bringing the rate of mortality associated with non communicable diseases like cancer, kidney and heart failure to barest minimum.

 There is a planned programme to have healthcare delivery service in all the communities in the State. The administration’s commitment to bring quality and affordable healthcare services nearer to the people is unrivalled, championing commendable effort in both primary and secondary healthcare delivery. Obi’s achievements in implementing the MDG programmes as well as his contributions in the National Gender Affirmative Action have encouraged women to up their potentials. Women have at least 50 percent slot in administration of Anambra state under Obi. Obi’s wife –Margaret Peter-Obi is the brain behind this positive affirmation of women as testified by First Lady –Patience Goodluck Jonathan during her last 2 day working visit to Anambra state between July 21 and 22, 2010.       

Obi also constructed the Neuropsychiatric Hospital Nawfia which is one of the oldest Neuropsychiatric institutions in the country. The hospital is presently a training ground for sixteen schools of Nursing and Midwifery including the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital. The Neuropsychiatric hospital shows Obi’s government as determined to tackle emerging issue of neuropsychiatric problems confronting the youths.

As a matter of national importance, the Federal Government should take over the institution so as to give it the necessary boost to realize the set goals.  

Also at Nawfia Obi had Primary Health Centre commissioned. That health center is one out of the four hundred and twelve (412) centres built across the State by the administration. Obi it would be recalled gave 11 General Hospitals in the State grants ranging from N17.5 million to N25 Million each for rehabilitating the ailing hospitals. The State also took delivery of ten containers of hospital equipment including Dialysis Machines for her hospitals.

Besides the accreditation of Onitsha General Hospital within a short time, it is now equipped with dialysis machines among other modern equipments. He had assisted missionary health institutions in the State on the understanding that they also render their services to the people of the State. Each one of them he gave a grant of 10 million each. He equally launched 36 ambulances comprising 32 conventional ambulances and 4 water ambulances for the local Government areas in the State.

 The new ambulances brought to about 60 ambulances equipped with the state-of- art medical facilities. The 4 water ambulances are for the riverine areas where he has committed every effort to open up like Umuoba Anam and other communities in Anambra West and East and Ogbaru area. 

Recently, the state took delivery of a 40 foot container full of equipment meant for state hospitals. The container contained medical equipment like CT scan and breast mammogram to mention but a few. No one was in doubt that the state called Anambra—-Light of the Nation had a collapsed health system under previous governments before Governor Peter Obi took over. But with aggression, commitment and dedication with which Governor Obi tackles development in the state, things have taken a turn for the better.  Onitsha General Hospital is not only accredited but boasts of having the best in health attendants and equipment. That of Ekwulobia General Hospital is also on the verge of being accredited, with General Hospital Awka known as Amaku not only going to have full accreditation but will host the University Teaching Hospital of Anambra state University.

Some of the projects executed under the health sector in the MDG include 380 VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) toilets, 120 solar-powered boreholes, anti-malarial drugs and nets to 138 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and sensitization of 600 health personnel on good staff-patient relations.

Others  were improved emergency obstetrics care and this included supply of drugs to 138 PHCs and 15 Secondary Health Facilities, supply of 21 medical utility vehicles and ambulances, supply of four water buses and obstetrics flying squad and training of 250 Medical Doctors, Pharmacists and Midwives as well as construction and rehabilitation of Youth/Skill centers , 10 new youth centers were constructed, supply of ICT and other skills equipment to 10 Youth/Skills centres, construction of 158 VIP toilets and drilling of 66 solar-powered boreholes.

In the area of disease prevention Immunization Plus Days (IPD’s) embarked upon by the government has yielded fruits as over 1 million children have been immunized in Anambra state in an effort to ensure that polio virus is eradicated totally in Nigeria. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) was administered to over 1 million children during the January – February 2010 mop -up exercise.

The coverage rate was 127 per cent. Thousands of other children captured and immunized against other child and mother killer diseases included 94, 455 children for Hepatitis B , 15890 for measles , 2585 for Yellow Fever , 5124 for BCG and other over 20, 212 .

The wife of the governor – Margaret Peter-Obi flagged off the 2010 exercise at Ogidi, Idemili North local government area.  Governor Peter Obi administration’s biggest challenge will be on how to sustain the gains of the immunization in order to reduce infant and maternal mortality.

 Health institutions in the state have got students intake as approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria hence the state is capable of graduating over 1,000 nurses every year. Amaku General Hospital is metamorphosing into a Teaching Hospital. His government has also rehabilitated and re-activated 2/3 of the hospitals in the state which were hitherto moribund. There is nothing again like the out of stock syndrome of drugs in hospitals. Since the civil war, the government has never given Mission hospitals in the state grant in Aid, but Obi has done just that. He posted nurses and doctors to beef up their personnel.

Health indicator for Anambra state showed that the state is the best in South-East and third in the country hence it has moved from 45 per cent to 85 per cent status. There is hope for survival in Anambra for people living with HIV/AIDS as the state has started free drugs and other supplements for people living with the disease.

This understanding of Governor Peter Obi’s administration to tackle all sectors simultaneously is unique. His investments in the health sector shows that he understands that only a healthy mind and body can make use of other amenities he has put in place.

Chief Christian Nwannedinma is a Social Commentator based in Awka, Anambra state. Address No 7 Obioma Street, Umubelu, Awka. www.oderaigbo.webs.com

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