By Abasi Ita
In a landmark demonstration of goodwill and humanitarian service, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has pledged to partner with the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in constructing a new, modern medical centre.
The gesture forms part of the church’s global social responsibility initiative aimed at promoting health, education, and community development.
A delegation of church representatives, led by the Area Humanitarian Specialist, Mr. Isaac Mensa, visited the university and was warmly received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, and members of the university’s management team at the institution’s medical centre.
In her remarks, Prof. Obi expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its continued support to the university. She noted that the church’s intervention in the area of healthcare was both timely and essential, given the pressing need for a befitting medical facility to serve the institution’s growing population.
The Vice Chancellor revealed that the existing medical centre, constructed in 1975, was originally designed to cater to a university community of about 500 students and staff. With the current population now exceeding 60,000, she said the facility has become grossly inadequate to meet the university’s healthcare demands.
“Our medical centre was built when the university was founded, nearly five decades ago. It was sufficient for a few hundred people then, but today, our population has multiplied many times over. We urgently need a modern medical facility that can serve both our academic and health needs effectively,” Prof. Obi said.
She further emphasized that the proposed medical centre would serve a dual purpose by providing quality healthcare to students and staff while also supporting the clinical training of medical and health science students.
Prof. Obi commended the Church for its previous interventions in other key areas of the university’s development, particularly in the digitization of administrative and academic data. She noted that the church’s support had improved efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across the institution.
“We deeply appreciate the church not only for this new medical project but also for its earlier assistance in helping us digitize our data system. That effort is transforming how we manage student records, payroll, and academic processes, making our administration more responsive and accountable,” she added.
Earlier, the Area Humanitarian Specialist of the Church, Mr. Isaac Mensa, reaffirmed the church’s commitment to humanitarian service and community development. He explained that the initiative to build a new medical centre aligns with the church’s mission to uplift lives through practical acts of kindness.
“We are here because we believe that a healthy learning community is a thriving community. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is committed to partnering with the University of Calabar to provide a modern medical centre that will serve generations to come,” Mensa said.
He further stated that while the church would handle the construction of the building, the university would be responsible for equipping the centre with medical tools, facilities, and personnel needed to make it fully functional.
The visit concluded with an inspection of the existing medical facilities, where the delegations observed the challenges faced by staff and students.
Once completed, the proposed medical centre is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery, promote medical research and training, and enhance the overall well-being of the university community and its host environment.
The event was witnessed by Elder Dr. Victor Bassey of the Africa West Area, the Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager for Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Mr. Christian Onovughe, as well as top management staff of the university.