It was established in 1937 by the Medical Missionaries of Mary, as an arm of the nunnery of the Catholic Church. St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital was where the action was. Even with its initial twelve-bed status, it was moving mountains.
However, decay set in. Systemic recession over the years made it a shadow of itself. From being a major regional medical hub, St. Luke’s Hospital diminished in status and facility. In the recent past, it became more like a primary health centre.
Yet, for decades, it was the foremost medical outpost in the then South Eastern State, and earned a considerable reputation for herself as a major maternity port.
The Medical Missionaries of Mary founded the hospital to help the mother and child. Mother Mary, who led the body, was concerned about the number of fatalities recorded during childbirths. It was endorsed by the General Medical Council in Lagos and London as a centre for training pre-registration House Doctors.
Later, the School of Nursing, Anua, was established as an auxiliary of St. Luke’s Hospital, to attain the equal status as the Nursing School in the United Kingdom. St. Luke’s Hospital thus became the sole hospital recognised for training of nurses in the whole of the then South Eastern State of Nigeria. The institution’s strategic importance was such that it became the spine for subsequent and complementary medical outposts, including St. Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan, Mount Carmel Hospital Akpa Utong, St. Theresa’s Hospital Use Abat, and other rural clinics and Dispensaries in places like Eman Uruan, Ibiaku Uruan, Idu Uruan, Mbiaya Uruan, Mbak Etoi and Idoro. St. Luke’s Hospital released its bulk of Doctors and Nurses routinely visited at regular intervals to deliver healthcare services in these satellite health outposts.
The hospital is the birthplace for an awesome percentage of Akwa Ibom people and beyond. Beyond maternal healthcare, the hospital also became renowned for other medical services.
It was in its dilapidated condition of the facility that drew the attention of Governor Udom Emmanuel, who was born in the hospital. It was not surprising therefore, that on the third day after taking his oath of office with a pledge to sustain superior performance, the governor visited the once celebrated St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua. On June 2, the governor assessed the extent of decay in both medical equipment and infrastructure. He almost broke down in tears by the realities that confronted him after inspecting the theatre, Gynaecology, Children, General, and Paediatrics wards, among others. Accompanied by the Secretary to State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren, and received by the Administrator of the hospital, Rev. Fr. Charles Essien, the governor made a pledge to turn around the institution. He welcomed discussion and unfettered co-operation with the management of the hospital with a view to rewriting the story of the institution.
Emmanuel said: “This tour around the hospital is to show that the present government is interested in the well-being of its citizens. It is our concern and focus to have quality medical care in the state, which is why we would partner the hospital. The hospital has been a long-standing hospital that has served the nation and the people, which is why we need a partnership that works and not the partnership of ego or sentiments. Because we need this hospital to work and for the people to see progress, I am not interested in changing the name of the hospital but only to see that the hospital works.”
He said he was looking forward to holding more discussions with the Catholic community, and appealed to the Catholic Church to get on the same page with Government sans sentiments.
Emmanuel, as part of his government’s intervention in the missionary facility, directed immediate commencement of work to rehabilitate dilapidated structures in the hospital, as well as a remedy of the threatening gully erosion at the School of Nursing, adjoining the hospital.
And the much needed intervention began. In addition to rehabilitating and refurbishing the Paediatric and Male blocks, a brand new block was constructed in the hospital. The new 300-bed capacity block, called Dr. Ann Ward, Gynaecology, was in honour of Irish missionary, Dr Ann Ward, a frontline gynaecologist who earned legendary status for her expertise, dedication and distinguished service in the hospital for decades until her retirement.
On September 22, as part of activities lined-up to mark the 28th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel kept a personal vow he made, while seeking office as governor, that if God gave him the opportunity, he would revamp the hospital.
Inaugurating the projects, which also encompassed landscaping, internal roads and a retouch of the perimeter fence, Emmanuel stressed that with the upgraded facilities, the hospital would render complementary healthcare services alongside the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. He added that, as people from within and outside the state come calling, medical tourism will be boosted, given that services rendered in the hospital will hold a prime place in the hearts of the people who patronise it.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications Mr. Aniekan Umanah, who took some reporters on a tour of the facility, said he was not surprised at all. According to him, “those who know Governor Udom Emmanuel will attest to his integrity and penchant for doing the right things in excellent ways.”
Umanah added that “the turnaround at the hospital is a foretaste of the many good things the Governor has in stock for the people of the State. I can tell you that on the first anniversary of this administration, come May 2016, Akwa Ibom people will be more than grateful to God for having His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as Governor.”
He said he was very happy that the renaissance in the health sector started with St. Luke’s Hospital, being a facility with rich history of excellent reputation in medical care.
Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese Most Reverend John Aya, who expressed appreciation to the governor for renovating the hospital, said the facility would stand as a testimonial to generations unborn, assuring Emmanuel of their prayers for the success of his administration.
The Deputy Superior General and member of the Medical Missionary of Mary, Rev. Sister Ekaette Ekop, emphasised the sentiment associated with the construction and naming of the newly built Gynecology Ward after Dr. Ward. According to her, Dr. Ward, now aged 80, offered blessing to the governor from far away Ireland, as she is deeply touched by the recognition and honour accorded her by the State.
Very much like the overwhelming number of the good people of Akwa Ibom who trusted the governor with their mandate, youths and people of Anua Offot, where the hospital is located, in particular, and Uyo in general, thanked and celebrated the Governor for accomplishing the feat within a record 78 days in office. Nurses and other members of the hospital community expressed their happiness about the positive development through various dance steps that said more than a thousand words could.
Now restored to its lost glory and occupying a pride of place, St. Luke’s Hospital Anua is a testament of the recently launched dakkada initiative, a clarion call on Akwa Ibom people to rise to excellence and greatness in every field of endeavour.
The hospital, which is now 500-bed capacity, is just one of the many interventions of the Emmanuel administration. The governor has performed the groundbreaking for the establishment of a number of industries. Also, to he has flagged-off the construction of many roads across the three senatorial districts of the state, among other remarkable accomplishments.
