EBONYI STATE GOVT TAKES OVER PRESBYTERIAN JOINT HOSPITAL, UBURU

Reporter : AMECHI ODO

Ebonyi State Government has revoked the right of occupancy of Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu established in 1912 by Church of Scotland Mission in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.  The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike announced this during the shut down and immediate takeover of the hospital in Uburu.

He said the revocation followed the expiration of lease of ownership agreement, which had lasted more than one hundred years between the Church of  Scotland and the people of the area as well as overriding public interest. The Commissioner  pointed out that the State Executive Council approved the takeover of the hospital following mounting public complaints over poor clinical services, high charges and embezzlement of grants.

Dr. Umezuruike noted that  the state government would carryout staff evaluation, renovations and restructuring of the hospital management to enable it operate as Ebonyi State University Community General Hospital. Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu is one of the oldest hospitals in the then Eastern Region and later upgraded by the then Governor of the Region, Sir Akanu Ibiam.