- My people have embraced the vision I have for NAUTH, says Dr. Ugboaja
The Chief Medical Director CMD of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi says the institution’s staff has embraced his vision because it is no longer an ephemeral but a tangible thing they are involved with on a daily basis. The CMD stated this during the interactive session with journalists in his office in Nnewi.
He said that the hospital is witnessing rapid development in all fronts in a bid to reposition her to be among the top five of such hospitals in Nigeria. “We are working to make NAUTH a medical destination center in Nigeria,” Dr. Ugboaja said.
“Central to all the developments in NAUTH is a clear vision which I have shared with the staff of this hospital and they have keyed into it, so part of the credit should go to the workers, and then, God factor is a very important aspect of the transformation going on here.
“We have started in our own little way to make the permanent site of NAUTH accessible to would partners because Private Public Partnership (PPP) is best way to go now since government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of financing Medicare for the members of public.
“This hospital came into existence thirty years ago and must say with all sense of responsibility that most of the buildings at the temporary site are donated by Nnewi people, we are so blessed to be in Nnewi where the stakeholders are ready to partner with us and assist us.” He revealed.
Dr Ugboaja said that the permanent site of NAUTH is sitting on 80,000 hectares of land and it is expected that the place would be made accessible.
“We are working on major roads at the permanent site, we are working on the ring road, the frontage, and we are also doing landscaping. In as much as we are in dire need of clinics, wards, operating theaters, and many other structures but we must open up the permanent site first. There is need to demonstrate to the our partners and sponsors that we are ready for a major break-away from the past,” he explained.
Dr Ugboaja while ascribing all glory to God for what he has been able to achieve over a short period of time said that government is a continuum and that he is like an individual standing on the shoulders of giants. He alluded to this when he was asked to explain how he managed to expand construction in every vital of aspect of the institution simultaneously.
“We cannot thank our stakeholders enough. They believe in us and the vision we have for NAUTH; some affluent persons have started doing some work at the permanent site. We want to encourage other well-meaning public spirited individuals to come to our aide. Let us all join hands to build NAUTH to an enviable level which everyone of us will be proud of. On our part, the management team and the entire staff are ready for the job ahead,” he concluded.
Ezeakukwu Nsoedo and Ifeoma Ejiofor