The Asaba Drug Rehabilitation Centre is set to commence operations, following the acceptance of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, to partner with the palace of the Asagba of Asaba.
Medical Director of the FMC, Dr. Ekeneam Omo; who led a team of medical experts from the hospital to the palace on Monday, said the health Institution is happy with the idea of the rehabilitation centre and is offering to render services to the facility.
Dr. Omo commended Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge and the drug rehabilitation committee for their commitment to making the centre work, stressing that it shows how deeply concerned they were about the well-being of Asaba youths addicted to drugs.
“Like I said sometime ago, FMC is one of your babies, and it’s one of your projects. So, we are not surprised when this rehabilitation centre was established.
“I came here with my team to assure you that we will do everything possible to ensure that your dream for the rehabilitation centre is actualised”, he said.
Responding, Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Azinge; described the intentions of the agreement as noble, lofty and ideal, and thanked the critical stakeholders, especially members of the drug rehabilitation committee and the management team of the hospital for their roles in the pact.
He noted that the rehabilitation centre is a creation of utmost necessity because over a period of time, Asaba has been ravaged by the challenges of drug abuse and drug trafficking, adding that the natural overflow is to have those addicted to drugs and those who have lost control of themselves rehabilitated.
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The monarch said he was glad to have the hospital partner with the palace to achieve the set goals, expressing optimism that having gone through the original and amended drafts of the agreement, it is something that could be given a shot in the overall interest of the community.
He disclosed that Asaba, as a community, is working hard to address some of the sociological challenges that tend to make the youths engage in drug abuse and drug addiction, pointing out that steps were being taken to create jobs for the youthful population, as well as inculcate moral values in children through proper upbringing.
“So, I want to challenge us to take this issue seriously, to go there and do the best we can to support our system and complement the efforts of government to give the best we can to our community.
“Let me take it that by signing this memorandum of understanding today, it will be the beginning of a partnership and relationship that will blossom and endure”, the Asagba concluded.
