The Federal Government on Friday 19th of May 2023 officially commissioned the permanent site of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, (NAUTH) Anambra State. The commissioning marks a turning point in the efforts to improve the health care system in Anambra State and Nigeria in general.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama who performed the commissioning and ground breaking ceremony of the proposed, Igwe Kenneth Orizu ICT Centre, expressed satisfaction with the level of infrastructural development at the permanent site. He informed that the project is a realization of the vision of Mr. President whose dream is to see effective budget utilization in all sectors especially the health sector.
According to him, the Federal Government has paid adequate attention to budget funding especially in the health-sector adding that the importance of NAUTH in making available quality and affordable healthcare services to the residents of the State and its environs cannot be over emphasized. Moving the hospital to its permanent site is a historical event, which he noted, began over twenty years ago. He admonished the management, staff and resident of the institution to ensure that the facilities are judiciously utilized and maintained.
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike commended Mr. President for bringing the project to fruition. He reiterated his administration’s commitment of reversing medical tourism in the State which is in line with what is been witnessed today. He revealed that contract for the access road to the hospital has been awarded. This he said, would reduce the stress people may go through when visiting the hospital.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire informed that the infrastructural state of NAUTH has been in a state of decline in recent years. “The hospital has been struggling to keep up with the increasing demand for healthcare services; this led to the decline in the quality of care, hence the need for a complete overhaul to meet the health needs of the people of Anambra State. With the intervention of the OSSAP on SDGs we have now been able to give a facelift to this renowned hospital, “she stated.
The Chief Medical Director NAUTH, Dr. Joseph Ugboaja in his welcome remarks informed that the commissioning of the permanent site was one of his main priorities when he took over the helms of affair at the hospital. He disclosed that the vision of the hospital rest on nine strategic pillars. “These are strong corporate governance structures, infrastructural development, use of state of the art and modern equipment, strategic human resource management and robust financial management system, staff welfare and motivation and the use of ICT and e-medicine as well as research and innovations. In my two years of assumption as the CMD we have consistently worked along these thematic areas and part of the result is what you are seeing today,” he said.
The newly commissioned hospital comprises of an Accident and Emergency Building, Paediatric Emergency Complex, Special Treatment Centre, Specialty Clinic and Landscaping, Molecular Laboratory, Mother and Childcare Building, Radiology Building, General Out-Patient Building, Oxygen Plants, Trauma Centre and Road Networks.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Health, paid homage to the Igwe of Nnewi H.R.H Igwe Kenneth Orizu to intimate him of his arrival and purpose of coming. He also paid courtesy visits to the Managing Director of Innoson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and the CEO of Ibeto Group, Dr. Cletus Madubugwu who have both contributed immensely to the success of the hospital.
By: Blessing Efem
Signed: Ahmadu Chindaya (Media & Public Relations)
