Soludo Pledges Support as First Free Psychiatric Hospital Opens in Anambra

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has pledged full government support for the newly inaugurated free Psychiatric Hospital and Home for the Elderly built by Seraphic Homes Foundation in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.

The N600 million facility, established by Evangelist Chukwuebuka Obi, Spiritual Director of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, is Nigeria’s first-ever free psychiatric hospital. It is designed to provide comprehensive mental health services — including diagnosis, treatment, medication, rehabilitation, accommodation, and welfare — at no cost to patients or their families.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Friday, Evangelist Obi explained that the project was a long-held childhood vision inspired by global standards of care.

“This hospital will start functioning fully from next month. We are going to have four vehicles going everywhere in Anambra to pick up mentally challenged persons and bring them here to help them,” he said. “In the western world, you don’t see people with mental illness abandoned on the streets. It is only here that this happens, and I want to change that.”

The initiative follows the foundation’s earlier projects, including a large orphanage and an elderly people’s home opened five months ago in Mgbirichi, Owerri, Imo State. Obi also revealed that his next targets include Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Rivers, and other states.

Governor Soludo commended the project and assured the foundation of government backing. He promised to construct the access road to the hospital, connect the facility to the national grid, and provide financial assistance to ensure smooth operations.

Seraphic Homes Foundation described the facility as “a new chapter in Nigeria’s healthcare and social support system,” aimed at ensuring mentally challenged persons are no longer abandoned but treated, rehabilitated, and empowered to live meaningful lives.