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From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
The healthcare sector in Anambra State received a significant boost on Friday, as the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, commissioned a state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system donated by NNPC Foundation Limited, a development described as a new era of hope and precision in medical diagnosis.
Speaking during the commissioning and handover ceremony at the hospital’s Radiology Department in Nnewi, the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Prof Joseph Ugbaja, said the installation marks a major breakthrough in the hospital’s diagnostic capacity and healthcare delivery.
According to him, the sophisticated MRI system represents the gold standard in modern diagnostic imaging, especially for neurological, musculoskeletal and oncological conditions.
He noted that for years, patients within the hospital’s catchment areas had been forced to travel long distances and spend huge amounts of money to access advanced MRI services.
“With this installation, we eliminate that burden. We are bringing world-class diagnostic services to the doorstep of our people,” he declared.
Ugbaja explained that the project aligns with the hospital’s 10-year strategic development plan; the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the four-point agenda of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare aimed at improving governance in the health sector, enhancing healthcare outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain and ensuring health security.
The CMD expressed profound appreciation to the management of NNPC Foundation for what he described as a “transformative gift,” stressing that the organisation had invested not only in equipment but also in human lives and the future of medical education.
In her remarks, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Limited, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the intervention became necessary due to the enormous pressure facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in accessing advanced diagnostic services.
