By Simeon Nwakaudu
It all started after the dilapidated old Doctors Quarters was gutted by fire. The fire incident compromised the lone building which housed senior medical professionals.
Governor Wike led top government officials for an on-the-spot assessment. It was obvious that the integrity of the building had been compromised. Nothing could be salvaged. Governor Wike ordered the immediate relocation of the doctors to high level Government Guest Houses and pledged to build an ultra-modern quarters for them.
In fulfilment of this pledge, Governor Wike on 13th February, 2017 invited then Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to flag off the construction of the Doctors Quarters.
Whilst laying the foundation stone for the Doctors Quarters of BSMH, the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said that the doctors quarters would help in repositioning medicare in the state.
He said: “It is my special privilege to lay this foundation stone of this doctors quarters at the Braithwaite Specialist Memorial Hospital.
“It is very special because this is a special contribution to the creation of access to healthcare in the country. And especially the welfare of doctors who do the commendable work of ensuring the health of the people ”
The Acting President declared: “I lay this stone to the glory of God, the welfare of the good people of Rivers State and the country at large”.
In his address at that event, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared his commitment to the provision of quality facilities in hospitals across the state.
He said: “For me, my engagement with the people is premised on the provision of projects across the state. In Rivers State, it is projects, projects and projects. We shall not deviate.”
Governor Wike said that the objective of the project is to restore the existing accommodation and expand it to accommodate more specialist doctors serving at the BMSH.
He noted that the quarters has over 40 units of luxury three bedroom flats with a community canteen and dedicated water facility.
Since that foundation laying ceremony, Governor Wike has made the supervision of the project a daily affair. Sometimes he inspects with the media, at other times he goes alone.
Two of the structures are completely near, while the third has been re-modelled for use by the doctors.
From the first block laid by VicePresident Osinbajo, Doctors Quarters at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital has emerged as an imposing structure. A beauty to behold and the excellent touch of Governor Wike’s excellence.
The beautiful Doctors Quarters at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital is yet another confirmation of the commitment of Governor Wike to quality healthcare for Rivers people. This administration is developing the personnel and facilities for optimum performance.
Shortly, the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt will come on stream, just as the College of Medical Sciences at the Rivers State University is nearing completion. The Zonal Hospitals at Degema, Bori, Ebieri, Ahoada are all in the offing. There are 13 General Hospitals that have been reconstructed and equipped. They are awaiting commissioning.
The administration is also equipping and upgrading the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital to make a teaching hospital for the Rivers State University. This project is almost completed.
Healthcare delivery is one of the cornerstones of the transformational leadership of Governor Wike in the last three years. The people in all the 23 Local Government Areas have been reached with properly designed projects and programmes aimed at changing their fortunes. Little wonder everyone is singing one song –Governor Wike will consolidate the gains of visionary leadership till 2023.
