The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi is targeting its rich deposit of health expertise and advanced facilities to provide quality referral services to Primary Health Care Centres in Anambra State.
This arrangement, the institution envisages, will guarantee an integrated approach that enhances the overall healthcare delivery system, ensuring that all Nigerians receive the care they need.
The Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Prof Joseph Ugbaja disclosed this during a press conference that followed the celebration of the 1st Anniversary of the official commissioning of the Permanent site, the complete relocation of the hospital units, and the maiden visit of the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate to the institution.
Recall that the Minister had visited the institution on the 17th of July, during which he commissioned landmark projects undertaken by the hospital management.
According to Prof Ugbaja, the hospital’s relocation to the permanent site, was in line with his administration’s vision to ensure that the NAUTH ranks among the 3 top hospitals in Nigeria by the year 2030.
“When I assumed office as CMD here in 2021, we developed a 10-year strategic and development plan anchored on nine strategic pillars which include strong corporate governance structure, aggressive infrastructural development, acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and processes as well as strategic Human Resource management. Others are the use of partnerships and collaborations, ICT-based practice (e-medicine), robust financial management as well as staff welfare and motivation.
“These Pillars are aligned with the Nigeria Health sector Renewal initiative of the Health Minister and his 4-point strategic pillars to improve governance of the Health sector, improve population health outcomes, unlock the Healthcare value chain as well as Health security.
“Also recall, that prior to my coming on board, the hospital was operating in a small space with 300 bed capacity with old and debilitated buildings with obsolete equipment. This space constraint greatly limited the volume and quality of care available to the patient. It also brought about a poor and uncomfortable work environment leading to poor staff attitude to work. The overall impact was a poor rating of our hospital both locally and nationally.
“It was obvious that achieving our vision and objectives cannot take place at the old site.
“With this background, and armed with our 10-year strategic development plan, my team and I embarked on a journey to transform this hospital, enhance the quality of clinical services & medical training, foster research and innovation and ultimately change the landscape of Healthcare delivery in Anambra State and Nigeria at large.
“After 2-3 years of actively planning, working and evaluating alongside our stakeholders and partners, we have been able to create a medical complex with an installed capacity of 2000 beds and ancillary facilities including 2 oxygen plants.
“The completed complexes include the 120-bed Trauma center, the 120-bed Emergency unit; 240 bed medical ward complex; 240 surgical ward complex; 100 bed Paediatric Emergency unit; 120 bed Mother & Child Complex. Other buildings include the GOPD complex, the Specialty building complex; the Radiology complex; Special treatment center and the VIP /Antenatal clinic complex.
“The commissioning of the Permanent site last year by Mr President marked a watershed in our efforts and further strengthened our resolve that our mission is achievable.
“At the time of commissioning, we had only the clinics running. But one year down the line, we have further completed, furnished and equipped all the hospital wards and units including the emergency units. This involved meticulous and painstaking planning, revenue mobilization, stakeholder engagement, spending and evaluation.
“Therefore, the 1st year Anniversary celebration gave us an opportunity to commission these new completed projects, celebrate our achievements and modest progress since commissioning, reexamine our strategies and reaffirm our commitment to our vision,” he said.
Ugbaja noted that the visit of the Minister was strategic, as it helped him understand and appreciate the hospital’s prospects and challenges, secure the Minister’s official endorsement on the NAUTH management activities and projects, and give visibility to the institution.
“The NAUTH Permanent site being constructed as the biggest hospital in West Africa, invariably, will come with lots of challenges in terms of infrastructure, equipment, manpower and funding.
“The Coordinating Hon Minister is eminently qualified to assist the hospital in these areas and his visit will help the hospital along these lines.
“Also, the anniversary event was an opportunity to interact with the stakeholders and show them what we are doing for the purpose of getting their buy-in into the project.
“It is also noteworthy to mention that the achievements at NAUTH are closely aligned with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative (NHSRII), a strategic framework built on four pillars: improving governance of the health sector, enhancing population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and ensuring health security.
“These principles are seamlessly integrated into the hospital’s development and operations, underscoring the importance of a structured approach to healthcare advancement.
“The NHSRII, through the Compact and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), emphasizes coordinated efforts between federal and state governments, development partners, and private sector entities. This integration ensures that resources are effectively utilized and that there is a unified approach to tackling healthcare challenges.
“The development of NAUTH exemplifies these principles, showcasing the power of strategic thinking and partnerships through a 10-year development plan aimed at positioning the institutions to be among the top three health facilities in Nigeria by 2030,” he posited.
Further describing the improvements at NAUTH as part of a broader strategy to boost quality healthcare across Nigeria, the NAUTH CM revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW), along with its partners, is ramping up funding and extending health insurance coverage through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
This initiative, he said, aims to strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC) systems nationwide, ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to essential health services.
He said, “As we look to the future, it is clear that the challenges remain and will require even more robust collaboration.
“Continued efforts are necessary to ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality health services.
“While Nigeria may be navigating through challenging times, the focus on healthcare transformation is a beacon of hope. Beginning with improving health is indeed the right path, as health is wealth. With collective effort and unwavering resolve, there is confidence that we can build a better country for future generations.”
