PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMITTED TO HEALTH SECTOR TRANSFORMATION – HEALTH MINISTER

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

The Federal government has  reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s  unwavering commitment to transforming the nation’s health sector so as to improve  the healthcare services of every Nigerian.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Pate stated this during the commissioning ceremony of some projects at the permanent site of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.

He said the hospital represented part of government  efforts  to ensure President Bola Tinubu-led administration delivered on its mandate of providing safe and affordable healthcare for the populace.

He commended the Chief Medical Director of the facility and his team for the giant feats and foundation fathers honoured, 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 President Tinubu-led administration who is focused to improve 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. 

“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 honouring the founding fathers who laboured 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’s 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,the CMD,Prof Ugboaja called on Federal Government to assist the hospital realise its vision of 10-year strategic development plan designed in line to 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 action 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 units have been relocated.

“While management has completed well over 4 km of roads, there’s need for more internal roads, security cameras to cover the estate, solar lights, just as he appealed to the Minister  to facilitate  approval for a waiver to recruit 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.

 Personalities honoured during the event were the hospital’s major benefactors, Dr. Cletus Ibeto, Sir Emeka Offor and Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah. 

Foundational members honoured were late Emeritus Prof. O.O Mbonu, late Dr T O.K Osuafor, Prof Ifeoma Egbuonu, Prof O. C Okpala, Prof Okay Ikpeze, among others.