Chinedum Treasure
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Pate on Wednesday reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transforming nation’s health sector targeted at improving health of every Nigerian.
The Minister stated this during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) and other projects in the institution.
He said the hospital represented part of government efforts to ensure the Tinubu-led administration delivered on its mandate.
He commended the CMD and his team for the giant feats and foundation leaders honored today, just as he acknowledged efforts of the private sector in investing in the health sector.
He said, “The health sector is undergoing transformation under the able leadership of Tinubu-led administration who is focused to improve health of every Nigerian.
“Such transformation is evident in the area of infrastructure, state-of-art equipment equipment and quality health services to save lives and prevent diseases.
“Health is wealth. Without health, you can’t work, go to school, market. This is the reason Mr. President is investing heavily in the health sector in collaboration with all segments of the society.
“Amidst difficulties we’re passing through as a nation, we’re grateful to God who in his wisdom has placed on the saddle President Bola Ahmed 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.”
Governor Chukwuma Soludo thanked the Federal Government for supporting the hospital’s management towards achieving the feat, just as he thanked the minister for being physically present to commission the projects and test-run the equipment.
Speaking through his Deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim also appreciated the Chief Medical Director, Prof Joseph Ugboaja for recognizing and honoring the founding fathers who labored to raise the institution to its present level.
“We also commend private individuals that contributed immensely towards the various projects that dotted the hospital which is in line with the state government Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) model,” he added.
The governor listed some of the supports the hospital has received from his government to include completion of roads leading to the hospital, recruitment of 300 health workers and upgraded of 45 general hospitals in the state.
Earlier, CMD Ugboaja called on Federal Government to assist the hospital realise its vision of 10-year strategic development plan designed in lifting the institution compete globally with others.
He restated that the vision was to rank among the top three health facilities in Nigeria by the year 2030.
“The 10-year Strategic and plan anchored on 9 pillars which include: a strong governance structure, aggressive infrastructure, acquisition of equipment, robust financial management etc, have greatly helped to transform the hospital, enhance healthcare value chain and ensuring health security,” he said.
Ugboaja enumerated the challenges at NAUTH hospital to include: inadequate number of staff, adding, “Our schools are still located at our old site, even as most of our clinical unites have been relocated.
“While management has completed well over4 km of roads, there’s need for more internal roads, security cameras to cover the estate, solar lights, just as he appeal to the Minister for health to facilitated approval for the waiver to recriut workers.
“Also, there’s 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, and thus affects patients care,” he added.
Among the personalities honored during the event included the hospital’s major benefactors, Dr. Cletus Ibeto, Sir Emeka Offor and Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah.
Foundational members honored were late Emeritus Prof. OO Mbonu, late Dr TOK Osuafor, Prof Ifeoma Egbuonu, Prof O. C Okpala, Prof Okay Ikpeze, among others.
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