The Neke Development Foundation (NDF) will on Saturday, December 30, 2023 hold a fund-raising ceremony for a one hundred million naira (N100million) modern community hospital project.
This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by the NDF Board of Trustees Chairman, Engineer Osondu Odo; NDF BoT Secretary, Bar Ephriam Nnamchi and NDF BoT Chairman Fund Raising, Chukwuemeka Odo (ACA).
According to the statement, the lack of modern health facilities in the community has resulted in many untimely and avoidable deaths, including high incidences of maternal and child mortality.
The launching ceremony is expected to be held at the project site in Uzo Ohu Neke, Enugu, Nigeria.
“Neke in a rural town with a population of over 55,000 in Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria.
Unfortunately, Neke presently has no functional modern health facilities, resulting in many untimely and avoidable deaths, including high incidences of maternal and child mortality,” the statement read.
“The Community Health Center (CHC) built by UNDP decades ago is grossly dilapidated and has been non-functional for many years. After unsuccessful efforts by NDF to rehabilitate the CHC in 2021, some eminent Neke indigenes opted to build a new modern Community Hospital that will be owned and managed by Neke community in a sustainable manner.
“A central site was identified and assigned to NDF for the project by Isi-Uzo local government. The hospital site is situated next to the popular Nkwo Neke market, and is easily accessible by all Neke and neighbouring communities of Ikem, Mbu, Umualor, Ogbodu, Obollo Eke, Ugwuogo, etc.
“The hospital’s foundation was laid in May 2023 and construction is presently ongoing. The Neke Community Hospital will be developed in three phases. Phase 1 comprises the main health block containing Out- patients section; Pharmacy; Maternity, Men, Women and Children wards; Emergency room; Operating Theater; and necessary utilities. Phase 2 will comprise Doctor’s and other medical staff quarters, and Phase 3 will comprise Specialist units like Radiograph, Ultrasonic tests, and medical laboratory services. The present fund raising is for Phase 1 that is currently ongoing and expected to be completed, equipped, and commissioned soon.
“The project is planned and designed for long term sustainability. The seed money that has gone into the project so far was contributed solely by NDF members. Funds for completing the project are now being launched in 2023. Donations are expected from Neke indigenes, in-laws, friends of Neke, Charity and Religious organizations, and various levels of governments in Nigeria. All donors will be documented and archived for historic records, so that posterity will remember all donors.
“Names of major donors will be inscribed on a Marble Wall of Fame that will adorn the Entrance Hall. Time based naming rights for building units and wards will be offered to those who may want to honour themselves, parents and/or families; or want to publicize their businesses and organizations. Funds from the naming rights will go into an operations trust fund that will be set up at project completion.
“The trust fund will ensure adequate staffing, management, and maintenance of the hospital. The NDF Board of Trustees (BoT) and members hereby appeal to all people of goodwill to support us by donating to this worthy project. Your donations will go a long way to ameliorate the unfortunate healthcare situation in Neke and environs. This is also a unique opportunity for kind-hearted people to engrave their names in the annuals of Neke history. Send all donations to NDF UBA Account: 1023484338.”
