By Chikaodi Chukwuleta

The Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Wednesday , commissioned the permanent site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University  Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.

The minister inaugurated projects built by critical stakeholders of the hospital and private sector, including a 2,000-bed space medical complex, among others, also performed the ground breaking ceremony for the regional ultra-modern radio diagnostic centre for the South-East, among others.

He expressed the Federal Government’s  readiness to transform the country’s health sector to ensure improved healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.

He commended the CMD and his team for the feat and the foundation leaders honoured, even as he acknowledged efforts of the private sector in investing in the health sector.

He explained that the radio diagnostic centre is being built across the six geopolitical zones to reduce medical tourism and that the one for South-East Zone is sited at NAUTH.

 “The health sector is undergoing transformation under the able leadership of President Bola Tinubu-led administration, who is focused to improve healthcare delivery of every Nigerian.

“Such transformation is evident in the area of infrastructure, state-of-art equipment and quality health services to save lives and prevent diseases.

“This hospital represents part of Federal Government’s efforts to ensure we deliver on our mandate. We also recognise efforts of the private sector in investing in the health sector.

“Health is wealth. Without health, you can’t work. This is the reason Mr President is investing heavily in the health sector in collaboration with all segments of the 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 the state of continued support to improving health of the citizens.

“We will continue to move forward and improve the well being of all Nigerians through quality healthcare delivery,” the minister said.

The Chief Medical Director, NAUTH, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, said the event provided a veritable opportunity to honour the foundational members of staff who has contributed significantly to the development of the institution.

Ugboaja added that the institution’s 10-year strategic and development plan is anchored on nine strategic pillars, including a strong corporate governance structure, aggressive infrastructural development, acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and process.

“Our objective for infrastructural development is to create a world-class healthcare facility that sets the standard for excellence in patient care, medical education and research. This aligns perfectly with our strategic “.

He said  the hospital’s relocation to the permanent site was a calculated effort and strong determination to actualise the mission and vision of moving the health facility from analogue operations to digital operations and expressed satisfaction that the minister joined the management and staff of the hospital to celebrate the first anniversary of project commissioning by the Presidency at the permanent site.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, said the hospital achieved the feat because of the support of the minister.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while assessing the security deployment around the facility, assured of the Command’s support in the provision of security in and within the facility.

He noted that the hospital is an important infrastructure that will serve and provide essential life-saving medical treatment, health care services, and otherwise.

Some founding members of the hospital were recognised  for their various contributions to the growth of the institution at the event.