By Desmond Utomwen
Special Assistant, Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication (OSSAP-SDGs)
In a major stride towards advancing maternal and child health in Nigeria, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a state-of-the-art 100-bed Mother and Child Centre at Awo-Omamma General Hospital in Imo State. The facility, named in her honour, was constructed and fully equipped by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).
Representing the First Lady at the event, Wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima described the new centre as a beacon of renewed hope and a milestone in Nigeria’s journey to achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
“This centre reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to prioritising the health of women and children.
It is a foundation for a healthier, more prosperous society,” she stated.
Encouraging the community to embrace and sustain the facility, she acknowledged the dedication of healthcare workers, especially nurses and midwives, in improving maternal and child outcomes nationwide.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu also commended the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and his wife, Chioma Uzodimma, for their commitment to the wellbeing of their people. She equally lauded Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, SSA to the President on SDGs, for championing impactful pro-poor health interventions across the country.
The new centre boasts a comprehensive range of medical facilities including general and private wards, operating theatres, intensive care units, laboratories, consultation and scanning rooms, and delivery equipment.
Governor Uzodimma hailed the project as a strategic intervention, noting its potential to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality in the state.
“The naming of this facility after Senator Oluremi Tinubu is a fitting tribute to her legacy of compassion and advocacy,” he said.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that the Imo centre is one of several 100-bed hospitals constructed under OSSAP-SDGs to strengthen healthcare systems at the grassroots.
She emphasised the need for continued advocacy to improve antenatal care attendance and child vaccination rates, citing the 2024 Nigeria SDGs Progress Report.
She revealed that full services at the centre would begin within the next two to three months and announced plans for a women empowerment initiative in the South-East by June.
The Imo State Government provided land for the project, highlighting the synergy between federal and state governments in driving sustainable development.
“This facility is a testament to the Tinubu administration’s resolve to leave no Nigerian behind in accessing quality healthcare,” she affirmed.
