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The Ebonyi State Government, under the leadership of Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru has shut down five hospitals in the state due to quackery.
The quack centres that have been closed include Eleri Hospital in Afikpo, Party Hospital in Ugbodo, Homeopathic Specialist Hospital in Igbeagu, St. Patrick Hospital in Iboko, and Alexander Hospital in Umuezeoka.
Nwifuru disclosed this information on the floor of the House while presenting the 2024 budget, tagged “Budget of Innovations and Success,” to the members of the Ebonyi State Assembly. He also noted that three major distributors of fake drugs in the state have been arrested in collaboration with NAFDAC. Additionally, a total of 107 medical quacks have signed an undertaking with the task force on medical quackery, committing not to indulge in quackery in the state.
According to the governor, the heart of his administration is within the health and education sectors. He emphasized, “Our ongoing efforts to upgrade all 13 general hospitals across the state are not just infrastructural enhancements. They are pathways to healing and hope.”
Nwifuru highlighted the importance of providing world-class healthcare accessible to every citizen, regardless of their location. He mentioned installing MRI machines as a commitment to early and accurate diagnosis, aiming to spare families from the anguish of uncertainty.
Through the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, the Governor is reducing the financial burden of healthcare on civil servants and offering a lifeline to families striving for a healthy future. He expressed, “These initiatives are not abstract; they are stories of lives changed, futures secured, and communities thriving.”
Nwifuru also pledged to improve the quality of education in state schools, from primary to tertiary institutions. He stated, “The essence of our commitment to education goes beyond bricks and mortar; it lies in the dreams of every child who now has access to quality learning environments.”
He described the ongoing construction of duplexes in each Local Government Area with 12 classrooms as an investment that will shape the future leaders of Ebonyi State. The provision of free internet services in Ebonyi State University signifies a commitment to enhancing education through digital means.
Explaining the reason behind the revised budget of N159,397,805,800.00, representing a 14.35% increase from the original budget, Nwifuru mentioned the unintended consequences of subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira. He emphasized that the revised budget underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing the pressing needs of Ebonyi people.
Concluding his address, Nwifuru noted that the proposed 2024 budget, totaling over N204 billion, is not just a number but a strategic investment in the well-being and future of Ebonyians.
