COMMENTARY: The Visit Of The Vice President To Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi

His Excellency, Kashim Shettima (GCON), the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will visit Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to commemorate the hospital’s 2nd anniversary of relocating to its permanent site. The visit will also mark the commissioning of key projects executed under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Joseph Ugboaja (OON), including the grand-opening of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administrative Complex, an impressive facility supported by the Presidency. This will also be the first time a sitting Vice-President will be visiting the hospital.

Since Professor Ugboaja assumed office as the substantive CMD just over three years ago, NAUTH has been in the news consistently for its remarkable developmental strides. The CMD’s innovative leadership is anchored on nine strategic pillars, with key focuses on Cooperative Governance, Infrastructural Development, the use of state-of-the-art medical equipment, and fostering partnerships and collaborations. These pillars have been instrumental in elevating NAUTH’s standing on the global stage.

The CMD and his dedicated team are unwavering in their commitment to positioning NAUTH among the top three teaching hospitals in Nigeria by 2030, with the ultimate goal of making it the best. This vision is a priority for the Chief Medical Director.

The achievements under Professor Ugboaja’s leadership have been both significant and impressive. Within just one year in office, he spearheaded the relocation of NAUTH to its permanent site after 30 years of operation at a temporary location.

During this period, NAUTH operated with a 300-bed capacity under challenging conditions. Thus, through prudent financial management and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the health sector, he made this monumental relocation possible.

Currently, NAUTH boasts a 1,300-bed capacity, with plans in place to expand this to 5,000 beds within the next four years, positioning the hospital to become the largest healthcare facility in Sub-Saharan Africa. This vision is not only achievable but also well within reach, as NAUTH has the capacity and potential to make it a reality.

The Chief Medical Director’s policy aligns with the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII), a Federal Government health policy aimed at building human capacity for quality healthcare and strengthening collaborations between federal, state, and development partners. His leadership has continues to drive the implementation of National Health Act.

As part of this initiative, on September 27, 2024, the CMD visited the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Zhengzhou in China, the largest hospital in the world with a capacity of 10,000 beds. This visit has already begun to yield positive results, fostering collaborations aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery at NAUTH.

Additionally, NAUTH has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Liquefied Gas Company Ltd as part of a multi-billion naira health intervention program aimed at reducing the cost of medical care in Nigeria.

Furthermore, NAUTH’s collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has led to the construction of several medical complexes equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

One of the major ongoing projects is the regional Radio-Diagnostic Centre, a multi-billion naira Federal Government initiative attracted by the Chief Medical Director, designed to provide high-quality medical care to the Southeast.

Another landmark project is the International Cancer and Diagnostic Research Center, funded by Chief Cletus Ibeto (Omekannaya), which aims to boost medical tourism at NAUTH.

These projects reflect the excellence in leadership demonstrated by the Chief Medical Director, which further underscored the essence of the Vice-President’s visit.

The CMD’s policies has further align seamlessly with the health priorities of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration, which focuses on expanding healthcare infrastructure, improving access to quality care, and promoting preventive medicine—all of which have direct benefits for local communities.

As the Vice-President visits, it is expected that his presence will provide a strong boost to the ongoing infrastructural development at NAUTH, with a ripple effect that will benefit not only the hospital but the entire State and the South-East region.

Mr. Vice President, you are warmly welcomed to Anambra State, the Light of the Nation, and to Nnewi, the Land of Gold.

Nnoo!

Finally, the public is cordially invited to come out en-masse to welcome the Vice-President and participate in this historic occasion.

Bright Anyanwu,
PAA, writes from Nnewi.
bo.anyanwu@unizik.edu.ng