For years in Ayamelum Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, the absence of a hospital meant that sickness was often a “death sentence.”
Residents endured long, desperate motorcycle rides to the nearest healthcare facilities, with many losing loved ones along the way. One such tragedy occurred when a farmer’s relative died during childbirth en route to the hospital.
However, the inauguration of the new Solution General Hospital at Anaku — a major life-saving infrastructure project — has brought renewed hope to the people of Ayamelum, transforming years of fear into peace of mind.
Some residents shared their experiences of hardship and loss during an inspection tour of the facility by the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike.
Mrs. Nneka Okafor, a farmer from Umumbo community, recalled losing her co-wife during childbirth because there was no hospital nearby.
“We used to travel several miles by motorcycle just to get medical help at Umueri. Sometimes, people died on the way.
My co-wife went into labour one night, and before we could find a motorcycle to take her to the general hospital in Umueri, she passed away. I can never forget that loss.
Now, we have a hospital right here in our community. That alone gives us peace of mind,” she said.
Pa Anthony Onochie also recounted the fear that gripped the community each time someone fell ill.
“I lost one of my sons to fever because there was no ambulance, no clinic, nothing. By the time we got him to Otuocha, they said if we had brought him earlier, he would have survived,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Ebere Onuchukwu, a mother of three from Omasi community, said the new hospital would help save lives, especially those of women and children.
“We lost my sister on the pothole-ridden road to Otuocha while she was in labour. She bled to death before we got to the hospital.
Before now, childbirth was a huge risk. With this new hospital functioning, we can at least hope for safe deliveries,” she said.
The President-General of Anaku community, Mr. Paul Nwauba, noted that before the hospital’s construction, there was no functional public health facility in the entire LGA.
He said residents had to travel to neighbouring towns such as Otuocha, Nsugbe, Onitsha, Umueri, or even Awka to access medical care — a situation that often led to loss of lives during emergencies.
“For the people of Ayamelum, this new hospital is a beacon of hope and healing after years of neglect. We are grateful to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for this facility,” Nwauba said.
He added that the community had pledged to take ownership of the hospital by protecting and maintaining it.
Mr. John Ejimofor, 72, described the hospital as a symbol of restored dignity for the people.
“For the first time, our children will be born in a proper hospital within our own land. I am 72 years old, and I never thought I would live to see a government hospital here,” he said.
For Mr. Chukwudi Nwafor, a commercial motorcyclist, the hospital has also eased financial burdens on families.
“We used to spend over ₦10,000 just to transport a sick person to another town. Now, with this hospital, that money can be used for treatment and drugs,” he said.
The Youth Leader of Anaku, Mr. Christopher Obiorah, said the facility was already delivering impact, as his father and seven others underwent successful hernia surgeries free of charge after the hospital was inaugurated on October 23.
He added that the hospital would stimulate economic and social development in the area.
During the inspection tour, health workers were seen attending to patients. The hospital currently provides maternal and child care, emergency services, laboratory tests, eye care, surgeries, essential drugs, and immunization.
Addressing journalists, Dr. Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health, said the facility is part of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s broader effort to strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“Governor Soludo is intentional about bridging the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas. No Anambra citizen should die because they cannot afford or access medical care,” Obidike said.
He reaffirmed that the administration remains committed to its vision of establishing at least one functional general hospital in every local government area of the state.
Other health facilities inspected during the tour included General Hospital, Ekwulobia; Specialist Hospital, Fegge, Onitsha; Rehabilitation Centre, Nibo; and the Trauma Centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka.
