BY VINCENT UJUMADU & OKONKWO EZE

AWKA—A GROUP of Anambra professionals is to partner with some Indian medical specialists to establish a world-class hospital in the state estimated to cost about N38 billion.

The proposed 200-bed hospital is expected to employ about 100 doctors and 1,500 nurses and other medical professionals.

Promoter of the project, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu, a medical practitioner, said funds for the hospital would be sourced through international financial institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, AfDB, as well as known financial donors, international health foundations, medical philanthropic organisations and international health facilities.

According to Ilouno, a large parcel of land has been acquired for the project at Ifitedunu. He added that the Anambra State government had constructed a road to the site and also promised to provide a bore-hole for water supply.

He added that the hospital would be fitted with on-line tele-medicine exchange programme with American health institutions and universities and will be affiliated to numerous international health centres in the USA, Europe and Asia, especially India.

Ilouno said the hospital would come on stream in 2015, adding that Governor Peter Obi would turn the sod for the building of the structure in the next few months.

Meanwhile, as part of the partnership, 10 Indian medical specialists with hi-tech medical equipment are to provide five weeks medical services on complicated medical issues in three hospitals in Anambra State from June 23, 2013.

The three hospitals are Iyi Enu Hospital, Ogidi in Idemili North local government area, Regina Caeli Hospital, Awka and Anambra University Teaching Hospital, also in Awka.

He urged the people of Anambra and other neigbouring states to take advantage of the health exercise, which he described as part of health investment programme being promoted by the 10 medical specialists, who represent five renowned health facilities in India.

Ilouno said the Indian doctors will, in conjunction with Nigerian doctors, perform surgical operations and provide other health care services in the three hospitals.

He said: “They are coming with some of their hi-tech medical equipment which they use in carrying out the wonderful medical services we hear about. They will also be here with full retinue of ophthalmologists, in addition to specialists in knee surgery, orthopedic repairs, brain and spine.

“They will also be treating all cases of stroke, prostate cancer and other cancer related illnesses with medical precision with the help of their hi-tech equipments.”