From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Host communities and other stakeholders of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State have continued to laud the transformation agenda of the Chief Medical Director, Ass Prof Joseph Ugboaja for what they described as massive and unprecedented development of the permanent site.
The commendation has followed the recent facility tour which the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III embarked on for another round of assessment of on-going projects at the perm site.
Igwe Nnewi during the visit declared that Ugboaja had in two years down the line proved his capacity and capability to turn around and totally transform NAUTH to a world class facility.
The Igwe also declared that the CMD had shown single mindedness, courage and strong determination in his quest to relocate the hospital to the permanent site.
The host communities and other stakeholders expressed satisfaction to see that some of the facilities already finished and being furnished at the permanent site included 300-bedded medical ward; 300-bedded surgical ward; 120-bedded maternity complex; 120-bedded accident and emergency unit; 120-bedded medical emergency unit; 150-bedded paediatric emergency complex; an amenity ward; a new GOPD complex; Igwe Orizu ICT center; two oxygen production units and oxygen cryogenic production unit; the water park landscape with recreational facilities, among other ongoing building constructions.
The Igwe said he was overwhelmed that after a short while the CMD had put massive infrastructure in place at the permanent site along side state-of-the-art equipment for easy and wholesome operation of the medical personnel and other workers at the perm site.
The monarch noted that the speed and precision at which the perm site was being developed clearly showed that Ugboaja had a clear-cut transformation agenda to make NAUTH one of the top five hospitals in Nigeria and ultimately become the best in the country and West Africa sub-region as he had consistently and persistently promised.
At a reception, Igwe Orizu using the traditional breaking of kola, blessed Ugboaja who he said would rise to a greater height. According to the Igwe, anybody who had been to the permanent site for about five years age would be astonished at the level of transformation that had taken place under the watch of Ass Prof Ugboaja who he said had been working in cordiality with his management team.
The Igwe said: “If you could do all these things within two years to make the movement to the permanent site a reality, I insist you must go for a second tenure to conclude the wonderful work you have started. You judiciously use the resources made available to you because what we see on ground testifies to that. This is the stepping stone to many opportunities waiting for you ahead.
The Vice Chairman of the Igwe Nnewi cabinet, Chief Nnanyereugo Kanu expressed gratitude to Ugboaja for what he described as wonderful work he is doing at the perm site. He said the achievement had been unprecedented.
The Head, Corporate Affairs of the NAUTH, Mrs Chinyere Onwuka in her vote of thanks said the entire staffers both management and other cadres had a cause to thank their stars for having Ugboaja as a CMD.
She said: “With Ass Prof Ugboaja in charge, we have received one hundred percent conversion and one hundred percent promotion. He is super when it comes to staff welfare. We served under his predecessors, who did their best as CMDs, but there has never been a time when the staff ran after a CMD as it is now, truth must be told. He is our number one, no doubt.
“Our CMD has the best team I have ever seen. There is cohesion in his administrative style. Our Chairman, Medical and Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr Ogochukwu Ezejiofor and other management staff work as one family because we have a CMD that understands the game. Indeed, Ugboaja is a game changer,” she said.