The timely completion and successful handover of a laboratory block at the newly established and functional Our Saviour’s Hospital has not only elicit joy, confidence in proper service delivery but gratitude to God and satisfaction on the quality of job delivered to the church by the building committee.
Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta, the Rt. Rev. Ralph Cornelius Ebirien, JP who could not hide his happiness but was visibly elated at the handover ceremony held at the St. John’s Anglican Church premises, venue and site of Our Saviour’s Hospital expresses the Diocese’s joy over the project while thanking the Almighty God for the grace to initiate and complete the two storey laboratory block. The bishop said when fully equipped in the possible days ahead, patients at the hospital would not move outside the premises for their various investigations and test but would have enhanced treatment and timely attention.
Bishop Ebirien , who expressed satisfaction over the project returned gratitude to God when the leader of the building committee Sir G.W. Tom-Jaja handed the keys to the entrance of the two storey laboratory block to the Diocese at the short ceremony.
Leader of the building committee, sir, G. W. Tom-Jaja, while thanking the bishop for the opportunity giving them to serve the Diocese, said though it was not an easy task completing the project but with God on their side it was a successful completion.
The Diocesan, while applauding the building committee led by Sir, Engr. G.W. Tom-Jaja for their diligence in service, maintained that the hospital was built for the service of all citizens irrespective of race or religion and not with the exception of Anglicans, as he enjoined all to visit the hospital not only for their physical treatment but spiritual since the doctors, nurses and other workers are trusted children of God.
Fielding questions from the LAMP, the Diocesan bishop described it as God’s intervention for the reopening of the hospital as it was out of service for a period, noting that since its resumption, the hospital has carried out several surgical operations, as well as taking delivery of several births and other essential services.
According to the Chief Servant of the Diocese, the church is not exploiting the society, hence its charges are at subsidized rates like the government hospitals, explaining that the hospital at the moment is not in partnership with any private organization, but would be glad to welcome any of such, while the church is assiduously bracing up to the challenges of equipping the laboratory, and completing the originally planned 100 beds which the hospital was designed for.
Consequently, two of the Medical Doctors attached to the hospital, Dr. Opusunju Boma-Harris and Dr. Mrs. Gift Tom-George in their respective speeches disclosed that effective functioning of the hospital is their utmost responsibility while expressing excitement working in the hospital and called on residents and indigenes who wants private hospital setting care to think of Our Saviour’s Hospital as her charges are moderate and affordable for all.
Corroborating the bishop’s view on the hospital’s performance the duo doctors while thanking the Diocese for the facility which according to them, helps in cutting cost for those who could not afford to go for treatment in any conventional hospital also expressed gratitude to God for successful operations without complications throughout their engagement, adding that their vision is to make Our Saviour’s Hospital a one stop shop for all medical care in the region.
“Our vision is to make this hospital a one stop shop for all Medical care both clinical, laboratory and otherwise. And having the fully functional laboratory block, it makes things easier and convenient for the patients because they don’t have to go elsewhere to get their investigation done, they will be here attended to, samples will be gotten from them, and results are here in real time and the care will be optimal”. Dr. Opusunju explained.
Joining others to call on the citizenry to make Our Saviour’s Hospital their choice medical centre, the doctors maintained that the era of expensive charges in Medicare are over as prices at the hospital are not only equal to the government owned facilities but consciously reduced to serve the populace.
In his contribution, the hospital chaplain, Rev. Canon. Edward Tamunopara Pepple, has said that as a Christian hospital the physical and spiritual wellbeing of patients in the hospital are always on the front burner as prayers are constantly offered to them before, during and after treatment especially in the theatre.
According to Canon Pepple, non Christians cannot serve in the hospital because as a Christian hospital, love was not only seen but shown particularly to all patients.
The chaplain further assured that the laboratory block would be equipped as soon as funds are available and urges all to pray for continuous cure, healing, care and sustenance of patients in the hospital.
Present at the handover ceremony are the Diocesan, the Rt. Revd. Ralph C. Ebirien, JP, the clerical synod secretary, and Vicar of St. Cyprian’s Church Venerable, Amavey Christian Abbey-Kalio; Ven A. A. Ogbidor, Ven. J.E.D. Pono; E.N.P. Ene-Nte; Ven. T.E.I. Opuiyo; Rev. Can Edward T. Pepple, the hospital chaplain; Rev. George A.G. Sunju; Rev. Sopakriari O. Waribo and Rev. Arinzechukwu I.O. Ezike.
Others include Mrs. Alaereibi Wokoma, Dr. Opusunju, Boma-Harris; Dr. Mrs. Gift Tom-George; and Sir G.W. Tom-Jaja.
James Mgboineme
