The Honorable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate on Wednesday disclosed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the transformation of the nation’s health sector targeted at improving the health of Nigerians.
Pate disclosed this during his official commissioning of the permanent site and his maiden visit as well as commissioning of projects at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state.
He said that what was going on in NAUTH represented part of government efforts to ensure that Tinubu’s administration delivered on its mandate.
He lauded the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of NAUTH Prof. Joseph Ugboaja and his team for the feat and foundation leaders who were honored during the ceremony, just as he acknowledged efforts of the private sectors for investing in the health area.
“The health sector is undergoing transformation under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, which is focused to improving the health of every Nigerian.
“Such transformation is evident in the area of infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment and quality health services to save lives and prevent diseases.
“This hospital represents part of government efforts to ensure we deliver on our mandate. We also recognize efforts of the private sector in investing in the health sector.
“Health is wealth. Without health, you can’t work, go to school, market and so on. This is the reason Mr President is investing heavily in the health sector in collaboration with all segments of society.
“Amidst difficulties we are passing through as a nation, we are grateful to God who in his wisdom has placed on the saddle President Bola Tinubu to assist us navigate through.
“We assure the hospital community and indeed the government and good people of Anambra state of continued support to improving health of the citizens, “he said.
The CMD, Prof Ugboaja, in his address called on the Federal Government to help realise the vision and 10-year strategic development plan of the health institution designed to lifting it to compete globally with others.
He explained that the vision of the team he leads is to make the hospital rank among the top three health facilities in Nigeria by the year 2030.
He, however, explained that while management has completed well over four kilometers of roads, that there is need for more internal roads, security cameras to cover the hospital environment, solar lights, just as he appealed to the Minister to facilitate approval for the waiver to recruit staff.
The CMD disclosed the challenges at NAUTH hospital which include, inadequate number of staff, schools still located at the old site, even as the clinical unites have been relocated.
He also disclosed that there is need to construct more classrooms and hostels for the college of nursing and school of health information management.
“We are calling for more of Federal Government’s intervention to construct staff quarters to provide accommodation to house those who live far away from our facilities to affect the patients positively, “he said.
“The 10-year strategic and development plan is anchored on nine strategic pillars of strong corporate governance structure, aggressive infrastructural development, acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and processes and strategic human resource management.
“Others include partnerships and collaborations, ICT-based practice (e-medicine), robust financial management, staff welfare and motivation.
“As you can see, Sir, these pillars are aligned with your vision, the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative, and your four-point strategic pillars of improving governance of the health sector, enhancing population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and ensuring health security.
“With this strategic approach, together my team and I embarked on a journey to transform this hospital, enhance the quality of clinical services and medical training, foster research and innovation and ultimately change the landscape of healthcare delivery in Anambra State and Nigeria at large, a journey that was largely driven by faith.
“Today, as we reflect on our achievements, celebrate our modest progress, and reaffirm our commitment to the vision, we cannot but return all glory to God who made all things possible. It therefore, gives me immeasurable pride and joy, Sir to briefly tell you the NAUTH-permanent site story as a testament of our collective efforts, dedication, resilience as well as unwavering commitment and support from all our partners and stakeholders towards improving and advancing the healthcare in Nigeria in-line with Mr President’s renewed hope agenda and your vision.
“There is a popular saying ‘if your dream doesn’t scare you then you didn’t dream big enough’. From where we were (a small, congested 300-bed hospital), our vision seemed unattainable weighing the challenges and process involved, but today, three years down the line, that feeling has changed; our vision is becoming a reality and our resolve is stronger than ever as we once again gather here to proudly present to our amiable Minister, a beautiful medicine megacity under construction which is a product of three years of consistent planning, designing, construction and evaluation, all in a bid to set up a world-class healthcare facility.
“Our corporate governance pillar objective is to bring on board a team of individuals who not only believe in our vision but also have the capacity to drive and are willing to make the needed sacrifices.
“Of course, one cannot achieve a vision without a team. Team work is the heart of successful execution of any vision because it must be shared. As I always say, a vision that is not shared is a dead vision. You must share that vision with your team.
“This is why in NAUTH, we operate a well structured governance framework that includes a diverse, experienced, and ingenious management team comprising healthcare professionals, academics, and community representatives. This institutional structure ensures that our vision is collectively pursued and that all stakeholders are carried along, “the CMD said in part.
He further disclosed that the NAUTH permanent site is being built as a 2000-bed capacity facility and constructed in a medical megacity model with a beautiful environment, well-tarred roads and drainages, lawns, trees, green areas and parks, and relaxation as well as sports centers.
He said his administration has completed and equipped several facilities including the Trauma and Emergency Complex (240- bed capacity); Paediatrics Emergency Complex; 200-bed Medical Ward Complex; 200-bed Surgical Ward Complex; 120-bed Mother and Childcare Building; Radiology Building; General Outpatient Department (GOPD) Complex; Antenatal and VIP Clinics; Special Treatment Center and Molecular Laboratory Complex; and two Oxygen Plants, among others.
Highlights of the event were awards presentation to stakeholders of the health institution Dr Cletus Ibeto and Sir Emaka Of for.
He appreciated Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, Igwe Nnewi; Obi Oraifite, Igwe Dan Udoli and Obi Ozubulu, Igwe Fidelis Oruche, those he described as landlords of the NAUTH.
