INTERVIEW WITH THE BISHOP OF ITEM DIOCESE, BISHOP OBIOMA EZE
- Q: Good day sir, thank you for making out time to talk with us ?
- A: Bishop: There is no problem, we are here to serve.
- Q: How long have you been the bishop of Item diocese ?
- A: Bishop: I have been here since December 2015.
- Q: What has been your impression of Item indigenes ?
- A: Bishop: I can say that they are passionate about their religious beliefs. Whether a Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, or Anglican, they always hold on strongly to their faith.
- Q: And your impressions on the hospital ?
- A: Bishop: It is a very good cottage hospital.
- Q: What are the challenges you’ve encountered since becoming part of the hospital administration ?
- A: Bishop: Because of it being in a rural environment, there are bound to be quite a few challenges. Getting a good specialist doctor/consultant to be part of the hospital staff has been a major challenge. They really don’t fancy the idea of living in a village, and know that they’ll definitely be paid much higher in the city. Also by default, most Nigerians have more confidence in an expatriate doctor. For instance, the royal cross hospital in Ugwueke has a resident Dutch doctor/surgeon. The fact that the resident doctor there is an expatriate, makes people around feel/believe that they’ll be treated better there. But this doesn’t mean that they are better equipped, or staffed than this hospital, or that their staff are more competent than the ones here. It just has to do with the doctor’s nationality, and generally the mindset of the people.
- Q: Is that the only major challenge ?
- A: Bishop: No. Aside that, one of the hospital’s major challenge, is the employment of a resident surgeon. Like I mentioned earlier, the fact that it is located in a rural area is one of the main factors hindering this, the other being that we can’t compete financially with what hospitals in the city are willing to pay.
- Q: So you are saying that funding is also a challenge ?
- A: Bishop: I actually going to get to that. Basically, we hospital is mainly funded by the donor and the Wesley Guild of the Methodist church. We also get assistance from individuals and some unions as well. But there is always much to do, and it all comes down to finance. So yes, funding is a very major challenge. With adequate funds, we could afford a resident surgeon, improve on a lot of areas in the hospital administration and welfare of both the patients and staff.
- Q: How do you think things can be improved ?
- A: Bishop: I think firstly, there needs to be a re-orientation of the people, and a change in their mindset. The way they view the hospital should change. This will ensure that discipline is improved, peace is always maintained in the hospital. The issue of a resident surgeon is very important, and even though we have process to work around it, it really needs to be addressed. Financially we need as much assistance as we can get. This will really help in maintaining the subsidized fee of medical services in the hospital, as well as helping with the purchase of drugs, staff payments, and structural and general development of the hospital.
- Q: What of service to the community ?
- A: Bishop: Aside being a State center for the treatment of HIV, the hospital also trains auxiliary nurses. But I feel that the most important, is the free medical exercises that is conducted from time to time. The donor, together with some sponsors has been very influential in making sure that these exercises are consistent. Surgeries, treatments, and eye operations have all been conducted for free at one point.
- Q: How do you think awareness can be created for the hospital ?
- A: Bishop: Much credit must go to the donor Sir Ndukwe Ajala. He has taken it upon himself to make sure that the hospital widely known for efficient and effective health solutions. He recently financed the installation of Solar home systems, and the development and deployment of a website for the hospital. That the hospital now has a web presence will be bring about massive exposure to the hospital. It will make people know more about the hospital, on how standard it is, how well equipped the lab is, and ailments that can be treated here. In fact, it will go a long way in making people know that there is more to the hospital than it being located in a rural community.
- Q: Any final words sir?
- A: Bishop: I would like to use this opportunity to thank everyone whose has been part of this hospital on this remarkable journey. The donor, Wesley Guild, the doctors, sponsors, staff, and members of the community. I pray God continues to bless and care for them. And on our own part, we promise to work hard, and do our best to always take the hospital to a higher standard.
- Q: Thank you sir, and God bless ?
- A: Bishop: You are welcome, and may he bless you too.
