Ebonyi Gov’t Takes Over Presbyterian Joint Hospital Established In 1912

The Ebonyi State government has revoked the certificate of occupancy of Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

To this end, the state has announced the immediate takeover and conversion of the hospital to Ebonyi State University Community General Hospital to serve as the community medicine rural practice area of the state university teaching hospital in Uburu.

THE WHISTLER gathered in Abakaliki, Tuesday, that the decision followed a petition by the Uburu community, where the hospital is located, stating the expiration of the lease after 100 years.

Uburu, had in the petition, also claimed misappropriation of funds, high medical charges on indigent patients, use of obsolete equipment in the treatment of patients and absence of qualified doctors, as reasons why the hospital was no longer useful to them.

The commissioner for health, Ebonyi State, Dr Daniel Umezurike, said the revocation of the deal was for overriding public interest.

In his words, “Uburu people donated the land to Church of Scotland Mission in 1912, not to Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. When the Church of Scotland was leaving, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria came in probably because most of the workers were members of the church, especially former governor of the old Eastern Region, the late Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam, but the ownership was never transferred to them.

“The hospital was offering qualitative services until in the 90s when the Church of Scotland stopped sending expatriates from Netherlands, and the clinical services and management became completely indigenous with attendant deterioration.”

He added that Uburu community also alleged that the hospital was not providing corporate social responsibilities to them, as well as the inability of Presbyterian Joint Health Institute, which was established by the hospital, to secure accreditation for years, prompting the evacuation of its students to Ebonyi State University, where they graduated.

He explained that the lease of ownership expired in 2011, adding that there was also no fresh application for the renewal of the lease of ownership.

The commissioner said to save the urgent situation, the state Executive Council on 14th July, 2020, following due process, revoked the right of occupancy.

The hospital, he continued, would remain closed for two weeks to enable its inventory, staff auditing, verification as well as renovation, and called on the management of the former Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu, to steer clear until the facilities were put in order.