By Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi Anambra State on Wednesday held her 2022 edition of Solemn Assembly at the permanent site of the hospital with the theme: ‘A new beginning’.
The chairman of the occasion, Prof Robinson Ofiaeli in his opening remarks noted that the glory of the hospital started many years ago when he brought a former Minister of Health to flag off a project even when the permanent site was like a wilderness.
Prof Ofiaeli said that he was happy that the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of NAUTH, Prof Joseph Ugboaja is a progressive minded person who has already began the process of taking the hospital to a greater heights.
The Chief Medical Director CMD of NAUTH, Prof Joseph Ugboaja in his speech noted that Solemn Assembly is an annual event that is designed to mark the beginning of the year for the hospital community.
He said that it is an occasion set aside to thank God for his numerous blessings in the previous year and ask for his abiding presence in the new year.
“The Solemn Assembly means a lot to us as a family and as a people. It is an occasion in which we affirm and reaffirm that God is the author and finisher of our faith. That he is the tree and we are the branches, and cut off from him, we can do nothing.
“And because we want to do great things, we cannot afford to be cut off. At Solemn Assembly, we hand over the hospital, the staff, and patients to God to direct, guide, bless and prosper,” he pointed out.
Prof Ugboaja said that the theme of this year’s Solemn Assembly is quite apt and encapsulate the present mood in the hospital.
The NAUTH’s CMD who made copious reference to Isaiah chapter 43 verses 18 and 19 said “Today we have a new vision, a new hope, a new mindset. A new energy, a new environment and most importantly a new leadership all ordained by God.
“To transform NAUTH to rank among the top five hospitals in the country, we aim to achieve this by building a medical mega city with procurement of state of the art medical and diagnostic equipment. The idea is to convert NAUTH to a regional centre for medical tourism.
To achieve our aim, “there are three components; infrastructural development, acquisition of modern and state of the art medical equipment; recruitment and training of the relevant manpower with four key strategic-approach; strategic partnership and engagements with key stakeholders, staff welfare, prudent management of funds and quality management system.
The NAUTH’s CMD, while appealing to public-spirited affluent persons to come to the aid of the hospital, said that the mission of transforming the hospital to a medical megacity is a collective responsibility.
Very Revd Fr Maurice Izunwa delivered the homily at the 2022 NAUTH’s Solemn Assembly while Ven. Dr Emma Obidiegwu led the hospital community in a prayer session.
Prof Brian Adimma, a former Commissioner for Health in Anambra State, Hon Ezeakukwu Emma Nsoedo, former Anambra State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Prof Obi Nwosu, Dean of Medicine, and other eminent personalities graced the occasion.