From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
With right vision, dedication and commitment, dreams can actually turn to reality. This was the case of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, (NAUTH), Nnewi as the Federal Government finally commissioned projects to mark the full commencement of medical services at the permanent site.
Established by the Anambra State of Nigeria ( ASN) Edict no 10 of 1988 and subsequent takeover by the Federal Government by Decree 68 of 10th September , 1992 as a Federal Teaching Hospital, NAUTH has operated since then from its temporary structure .
Five successive Chief Medical Directors who served at the helm of affairs in the teaching hospital all tried but could not realise the vision of moving to the permanent structure but rather battled with limited spaces and some dilapidated structures at the temporary site.
But Daily Sun gathered that when the 6th substantive Chief Medical Director of the tertiary health institution, Dr Joseph Ugboaja came on board, he made a vow that the permanent site must become a reality reasoning that his strategic vision of repositioning the hospital to be in tune with the 21st century state-of –the art institution cannot be realised in the old temporary site.
Dr Ugboaja who shares same vision with the NAUTH Board of Management Chairman, Chief Ezekiel Afunkoyo went down to work. Pulling all the necessary contacts and hard work, the over 30 year old jinx was broken and the permanent site became a reality with the provision of several buildings, infrastructure and medical equipments within barely two years of Ugboaja’s administration.
During the commissioning ceremony last weekend, many who knew the physical condition of the permanent site before now as vast hectares of land with thick bushes surrounding one lone uncompleted building were surprised to see a totally transformed modern hospital with new architectural masterpieces everywhere.
Performing the official commissioning of the permanent site and its numerous completed projects, President Muhammadu Buhari represented by the Hon Minister of state for Health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama thanked the SSA to Mr President on SDGs and the DG Budget office , Pastor Ben Akabueze for the support they have given to the institution in achieving the great feat of making the permanent site a reality.
Hon. Ekumankama noted that it has always been the vision and mandate and desire of Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that every Nigerian receives the best medical care he or she desires.
This he said has necessitated the passage of the National Health Act which has made it mandatory for all Nigerians irrespective of status, religion or tribe to receive free medical care to the tune of at least N250,000 per annum.
He said the Act also supports the issuance of health insurance to all Nigerians and the President has followed it up by specifically ensuring that in the last four years, the health sector has received 100 percent budget funding part of the evidence of what people are seeing today in NAUTH.
“Today what we are witnessing is a realisation of the vision of Mr President whose dream is not only to see to the effective budget implementation of the health sector but also to ensure the full utilisation of these funds for the good of mankind and benefit of all Nigerians.
“The Budget office and the SDGs office have supported NAUTH through the enabling support of President Buhari and we are here to commission the array of projects already listed by the CMD. We owe it as a duty to appreciate the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari for this wonderful gesture not only for the people of NnewI but to entire people of Anambra State and the catchment states of the southeast that will benefit immensely from this project.
To the CMD, Dr Ugboaja, the Minister was full of appreciation for his visionary and impactful administrative acumen. He described the CMD as a man of grace
He said to the CMD “Thank you for what you have done here. Indeed you are a man of grace because it only takes a Man of Grace for someone to deliver this project in a virgin land within two years. It can only be God and I pray that the grace of God that is already upon you may increase in the mighty name of Jesus” he prayed.
The Hospital Board Chairman, Chief Ezekiel Afunkoyo who spoke like a fulfilled man during the commissioning project recalled that the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenenth Orizu had passionately pleaded with the board during their courtesy call to his palace years back to make every necessary effort to move the hospital to the permanent site and make it functional in his lifetime.
He expressed satisfaction that the legendary monarch’s wish and earnest desire has been granted.
“The journey to today’s event is a long and tortuous one, starting from insisting that the right things were done to the battle and struggle for the leadership of the hospital. Since its inception, more than 30 years ago, the hospital has operated from its temporary site which has very limited space for proper patient care and future expansion and as a result, lots of patients do not find space for admission and management and are forced to seek care elsewhere. This is the reason why we resolved as a board to do everything possible to move the hospital to the permanent site, a decision that has taken a strong root today” he said.
The Chief Medical Director, Dr Joseph Ugboaja in a speech titled “NAUTH, making of a Medical Mega City” described the commissioning ceremony as the culmination of years of planning, designing and construction which has resulted in the creation of state-of-the-art medical facilities that will enable them to provide world -class care to their patients and facilitate the achievement of their vision to make NAUTH rank among the best hospitals in Africa.
“Our new hospital buildings and the beautiful environment represent more than just physical structures. They are a testament to our commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery, to the tireless efforts of our staff and to the unwavering support of our partners and communities. The buildings themselves have been designed with the utmost care and attention to details to ensure that they are functional, efficient and welcoming to all who visit”
“But the true value of these buildings lies in what they represent-the potential to save and improve the lives of countless individuals who will walk through our doors seeking medical care. They represent a safe haven for the sick and the vulnerable, a place where they can find comfort, compassion and hope in the face of adversity” Dr Ugboaja said.
Dr Ugboaja also recognised and appreciated the efforts of the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for its infrastructure support to the hospital, efforts of other individuals like the Director, Budget Office of the Federation, Pastor Ben Akabueze and the great philanthropist Businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto.
He disclosed that Chief Ibeto has built many projects at the hospital old site and has also committed to the provision of ten buildings at the permanent site as staff quarters.
He said he recognises the fact that in the face of dwindling government resources, increasing cost of doing business and diminishing power of the patients to pay bills owing to unfavaourable macroeconomic environment, there is need for partnerships and collaborations in order to build the needed infrastructure and acquire the needed skills to actualise its vision.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire expressed delight that Anambra people have benefited from Mr President’s commitment to the September 2015 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) where the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted.
She said the facilities at NAUTH permanent site are among many other healthcare facilities that were provided, rehabilitated, remodelled or constructed or fully equipped by the office of the SSA to the President on SDGs across different states of the federation.
She said Mr President has made commitment to continue to take Nigeria out of poverty and this has been extended to the incoming administration to do same so that all can achieve prosperity together.
She noted that NAUTH was in state of disrepair years back but the federal government is now poised to change the narrative through the resolve to provide new facilities in the hospital through the provision of the new Accident and Emergency Building, the Renal Building, the new Ward Complex in Block A and B and another 100 bed Mother and Child Centre in Block B and C.
The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike expressed excitement over the new developments at NAUTH noting that such was in line with the commitment of his administration to end medical tourism .
He praised Dr Ugboaja’s vision to not only make the permanent site of NAUTH workable but also putting facilities in place like the new Oxygen plant built in the hospital which he said will save cost, save lives and promote efficiency in healthcare services.
“We thank President Buhari for this historic event, which started over two decades ago. Buildings, equipment and structure do not make a hospital, what makes a hospital is the quality of services being rendered and we will continue to partner with relevant institutions to ensure enhanced service delivery” the Governor said.
Facilities commissioned at the permanent site included the Accident and Emergency Building, Paediatric Emergency Complex, Special Treatment Centre, Specialty Clinic and its landscaping, Molecular Laboratory, Mother and Childcare building, Radiology Building, General Outpatient Department (GOPD) Building, Oxygen Plants ,Trauma Centre and various road networks among others.