Almost a year after a heartbreaking loss in Enugu, Patience (not her real name) remains too traumatised to speak. Her two children died within weeks—victims of a health emergency complicated by poor access.
One rainy morning, when her child became critically ill, she and her husband attempted to reach the nearby Goodwill Medical Centre (GMC) in Umuchigbo. Though it’s typically a 20-minute walk, the journey was delayed by the flooded Avah River, which separates communities like Ifo, Ugbo-Ezeji, and Ugbo-Paul.
With no money for transportation, they risked crossing the swollen river on foot. By the time they reached the hospital, the child had died from cold and exhaustion. It was a devastating loss—one that could have been prevented with better infrastructure.
Motivated by recurring tragedies, Professor Uche Amazigo, founder of GMC and former WHO director, took the lead on building a bridge across the Avah River. Backed by the TY Danjuma Foundation and public-spirited donors, she helped raise N38 million to fund the project.
On April 8, 2025, the newly completed pedestrian and tricycle-accessible bridge was officially opened, sparking celebration across the affected communities. Enugu East LGA Chairman, Mr. Beloved-Dan Anike, who commissioned the project, assured locals of continued infrastructural development, including more roads and a mini-bridge.
In her keynote speech, GMC trustee Prof. Anne Ndu expressed sorrow over the inaccessibility of healthcare despite the hospital’s proximity. She praised Amazigo for her relentless commitment, even noting her use of personal funds to bring the bridge to life.
To Amazigo, the bridge represents more than concrete—it stands as a promise of progress, access, and shared responsibility. She reaffirmed her mission to work alongside the government and local communities to deliver lasting, meaningful change.
Now, the bridge connects more than land—it connects lives to hope and health.ChatGPT can make mistakes.
