Minister Commissions Teaching Hospital’s Permanent Site In Anambra State
By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
The Minister of State for Health, Ekumankama Nkama has commissioned the permanent site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area, Anambra state.
Nkama expressed delight with the massive works already done in the permanent site, saying the hospital stands out among the ones they have visited since he assumed office.
He stated that President Muhammadu Buhari gave his office the mandate to ensure that every Nigerian receives best medical care, which was why he signed into law, the National Health Act. The Act stipulates among other things that every Nigeria will receive free medical care to the tune of 250,000 yearly.
The Minister emphasised that “the hospital is the realisation of the vision of the president, whose dream is to see effective budget utilisation of every ministry, especially the health ministry.
He thanked the Nnewi community for their support for a seamless execution of the projects in the hospital.
The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Anambra state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, appreciated President Buhari for the great work he did at NAUTH Permanent site and also appealed for more experienced medical personnel to be employed in the hospital.
Governor Soludo lauded President Buhari for the conversion of Onitsha General Hospital to a Federal Medical Centre.
He said that “his administration wass committed to reversing medical tourism in the state, which is in line with what is seen in NAUTH Permanent Site.”
The Governor also announced that he has already awarded the contract for access road to the hospital to reduce the stress people may go through while visiting the hospital.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire, said that “the NAUTH Permanent site is among many healthcare facilities built by the President Buhari’s administration in all the 36 states in Nigeria, and hoped that the incoming administration will sustain the projects to achieve prosperity by providing basic health care services to Nigerians.”
The Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Dr. Joseph Ugboaja who was highly elated said that their vision is to be one of the best hospitals in Africa, and to transform NAUTH into a medical mega city.
Dr. Ugboaja stated that “they have projects done by the SDG’s office and others executed through the support from the Federal Ministry of Health in the hospital.”
The groundbreaking ceremony of the proposed Igwe Kenneth Orizu International ICT centre, Nnewi located inside the permanent site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University was led by Igwe Kenneth Orizu.
The Minister, CMD and other dignitaries
had earlier paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the event were the Director General, Budget Office Nigeria, Mr. Ben Akabueze, former governor of Anambra state, Dame Virgy Etiaba, an oil magnate, Arthur Eze, represented by his brother Dr. Emeka Eze and Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Motors. Others were; Igwe Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Medical Oxygen PlanMrsrs. Nwamaka Arinze, among numerous stakeholders.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
