Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State started as part of General Hospital Nnewi which was officially handed over to the Teaching Hospital Management Board on the 16th June, 1990. Following the handover, a number of essential hospital equipments were either refurbished or renovated.
The Hospital was officially commissioned on Friday 19th July, 1991 by the then Anambra State Military Governor; Col. Robert Akonobi and the General Hospital were taken over as a temporary site. The Federal Government of Nigeria through Decree No 68 of 1992 then renamed the Hospital as Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in honor of the late sage and foremost politician, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe GCFR, Owelle of Onitsha.
Amidst several Challenges, NAUTH has continued to grow and deliver effectively on the Healthcare needs of people across Anambra State and Nigeria contributing to the GDP. The pace of Development and Growth of the Institution however seems watered down to the nature of the Hospital Administrative Management. It therefore became imminent that a Strong Astute Personality of Great passion for Development, Competence and Effectiveness in Service takes over the Hospital’s management.
A Tertiary Healthcare named after the Great Zik of Africa who represents Excellence and as crafted in her Vision statement should be the Centre of Excellence in Tertiary Healthcare Delivery.
Thus, on the 25th January, 2021 Ass Prof Joseph Odiri Ugboaja took over as the Acting Chief Medical Director of the Institution.
Ass Prof Joseph Ugboaja holds a Postgraduate Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology of National Postgraduate Medical College, Nigeria (FMCOG), West Africa College of Surgeons (FWACS), and International College of Surgeons (FICS). Until his latest appointment as Acting CMD he has been the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee DCMAC and subsequently Chairman CMAC and Director, Clinical Services, Research and Training of the hospital.
Emerging as the youngest in this leadership cadre across the country, with his strong will and resilience for Infrastructural Development, and Effective Service Delivery Ass Prof Joseph Ugboaja has shown determination to elevate NAUTH to her right footing of Excellence in Tertiary Healthcare Delivery.
Few weeks into his administration Prof Ugboaja has triggered several Projects ongoing in the hospital Community and determined to revive and boost activities in the permanent site of the hospital. Amongst the ongoing Projects are building a standard accident and Emergency Unit by remodelling and expanding the old building, building and completion of the new CSSD, expansion of the ICU and acquisition of new ambulances, completion of the ongoing Specialty clinic Construction , Virology laboratory and the standard Isolation center being constructed at the permanent site etc.
Indeed, the sense of energy and optimism generated by Prof Ugboaja’s bold attempt to create a new model NAUTH and making it amongst the top 5 in the Country, in spite of all odds can’t be wished away as mere words. He is attacking excruciating Administrative paucity and underdevelopment head-on. This means that his capacity for prudent management is legendary.
Going by this pace, it may be impossible to articulate the cumulative magnitude of the Acting CMD’s developmental strides by the year ending .
Of a Truth, Light has finally shone on NAUTH through Ass Prof Joseph Odirichukwu Ugboaja. Today, the story has changed. God and Mankind is taking Note.
Hillary Nkem Okeke, writes from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi,
Anambra State.
