Years after enduring the painful loss of her two children, Patience (not her real name) remains too overwhelmed by grief to speak about the tragedy. But her neighbours in the Enugu East Local Government Area recall the heartbreak vividly. One of her children had fallen critically ill on a rainy morning. Without any nearby medical facility and with no means to afford a longer vehicular journey, she and her husband attempted to reach the Goodwill Medical Centre (GMC) at Umuchigbo by foot.
Ordinarily a 20-minute walk, the journey turned into a life-threatening ordeal due to the treacherous Avah River, which cuts through several hard-to-reach communities including Ifo, Ugbo-Ezeji, and Ugbo-Paul. Wading through the swollen river, drenched and desperate, they arrived at the hospital—but too late. The child had died from cold and exhaustion. Within two weeks, their second child also passed away under similar circumstances—deaths that many believe could have been avoided if access to healthcare was not hindered by geography and poverty.
Moved by repeated incidents of such preventable loss, former World Health Organisation Director and founder of GMC, Professor Uche Amazigo, decided that enough was enough. With support from the TY Danjuma Foundation and other philanthropic contributors, the GMC embarked on a mission to construct a bridge that would connect the cut-off communities to the life-saving services at the medical centre.
The N38 million pedestrian- and tricycle-accessible bridge project, which once seemed an overwhelming dream, was brought to life through passionate fundraising and community determination. On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the long-awaited Avah River Bridge was officially commissioned—ushering in a new era of access and hope for the people.
The commissioning ceremony was a celebration of resilience and unity. The Executive Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Mr. Beloved-Dan Anike, who cut the ribbon, described the bridge as a transformative milestone. He commended the efforts of Prof. Amazigo and pledged further support for the area, including plans to construct a mini-bridge and rehabilitate feeder roads to complement the new infrastructure.
Speaking during the event, GMC Trustee, Prof. Anne Ndu, highlighted the painful irony that had long plagued the area—having a well-equipped hospital mere minutes away but being unable to reach it in time during emergencies.
“Imagine being sick and knowing there’s a hospital nearby with qualified doctors and nurses, but you simply cannot get there fast enough. That’s the reality for too many people here. The construction of this bridge wasn’t just about cement and steel; it was about courage, selflessness, and an unwavering belief in humanity,” Ndu said, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made by Prof. Amazigo, including drawing from her family’s savings to fund the project.
Prof. Amazigo, in her own remarks, reaffirmed her commitment to working hand-in-hand with underserved communities to fill the gaps left by limited government intervention.
“This bridge stands as a testament to what is possible when compassion meets purpose. It represents not only improved access to healthcare but a collective promise to protect human dignity and save lives. We are proud to continue partnering with the Enugu State Government to bring sustainable development to our people,” she said.
For residents of Ifo, Ugbo-Ezeji, Ugbo-Paul, and other affected villages, the Avah River Bridge is more than infrastructure—it is a symbol of renewed hope and a future where no one is left behind in their hour of need.
Hospital, TY Danjuma Foundation Commission Lifesaving Bridge for Isolated Enugu CommunitiesYears after enduring the painful loss of her two children, Patience (not her real name) remains too overwhelmed by grief to speak about the tragedy. But her neighbours in the Enugu East Local Government Area recall the heartbreak vividly. One of her children had fallen critically ill on a rainy morning. Without any nearby medical facility and with no means to afford a longer vehicular journey, she and her husband attempted to reach the Goodwill Medical Centre (GMC) at Umuchigbo by foot.Ordinarily a 20-minute walk, the journey turned into a life-threatening ordeal due to the treacherous Avah River, which cuts through several hard-to-reach communities including Ifo, Ugbo-Ezeji, and Ugbo-Paul. Wading through the swollen river, drenched and desperate, they arrived at the hospital—but too late. The child had died from cold and exhaustion. Within two weeks, their second child also passed away under similar circumstances—deaths that many believe could have been avoided if access to healthcare was not hindered by geography and poverty.Moved by repeated incidents of such preventable loss, former World Health Organisation Director and founder of GMC, Professor Uche Amazigo, decided that enough was enough. With support from the TY Danjuma Foundation and other philanthropic contributors, the GMC embarked on a mission to construct a bridge that would connect the cut-off communities to the life-saving services at the medical centre.The N38 million pedestrian- and tricycle-accessible bridge project, which once seemed an overwhelming dream, was brought to life through passionate fundraising and community determination. On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the long-awaited Avah River Bridge was officially commissioned—ushering in a new era of access and hope for the people.The commissioning ceremony was a celebration of resilience and unity. The Executive Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Mr. Beloved-Dan Anike, who cut the ribbon, described the bridge as a transformative milestone. He commended the efforts of Prof. Amazigo and pledged further support for the area, including plans to construct a mini-bridge and rehabilitate feeder roads to complement the new infrastructure.Speaking during the event, GMC Trustee, Prof. Anne Ndu, highlighted the painful irony that had long plagued the area—having a well-equipped hospital mere minutes away but being unable to reach it in time during emergencies.“Imagine being sick and knowing there’s a hospital nearby with qualified doctors and nurses, but you simply cannot get there fast enough. That’s the reality for too many people here. The construction of this bridge wasn’t just about cement and steel; it was about courage, selflessness, and an unwavering belief in humanity,” Ndu said, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made by Prof. Amazigo, including drawing from her family’s savings to fund the project.Prof. Amazigo, in her own remarks, reaffirmed her commitment to working hand-in-hand with underserved communities to fill the gaps left by limited government intervention.“This bridge stands as a testament to what is possible when compassion meets purpose. It represents not only improved access to healthcare but a collective promise to protect human dignity and save lives. We are proud to continue partnering with the Enugu State Government to bring sustainable development to our people,” she said.For residents of Ifo, Ugbo-Ezeji, Ugbo-Paul, and other affected villages, the Avah River Bridge is more than infrastructure—it is a symbol of renewed hope and a future where no one is left behind in their hour of need.