The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to transform the health sector and improve healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.
He stated this on Wednesday during the inauguration of the permanent site of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Nnewi, Anambra.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister also inaugurated a number of projects built by critical stakeholders of the hospital and the private sector.
Projects inaugurated include a 2,000-bed space medical complex, ground breaking for the regional ultra-modern radio diagnostic centre for the South-East, among others.
The minister added that the hospital represented part of efforts at ensuring that government delivered its mandate on quality healthcare delivery to the people.
He commended the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja and his team for the feat and acknowledged the efforts of the private sector in investing in the health sector.
He explained that radio diagnostic centres were built across the six geopolitical zones to reduce medical tourism and the one for South-East zone is sited at NAUTH.
According to him, the health sector is undergoing transformation under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu-led administration, who is focused to improve healthcare delivery.
He noted that “such transformation is evident in the area of infrastructure, state-of-art equipment and quality health services to save lives and prevent diseases.
“This hospital represents part of Federal Government’s efforts to ensure we deliver on our mandate. We also recognise efforts of the private sector in investing in the health sector.
“Health is wealth. Without health, you can’t work. This is the reason why Mr President is investing heavily in the health sector in collaboration with all segments of the society.
“Amid difficulties we are passing through as a nation, we are grateful to God who in his wisdom has placed on the saddle, President Bola Tinubu to assist us to navigate through.
“We assure the hospital community and indeed the government and good people of the state of continued support to improve the health of citizens.
“We will continue to move forward and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians through quality healthcare delivery.”
Earlier, the chief medical director said that the event provided a veritable opportunity to honour the foundational members of staff who contributed to the development of the institution.
Ugboaja added that the hospital’s 10-year strategic and development plan is anchored on nine strategic pillars, including strong corporate governance structure, aggressive infrastructure development, and acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment.
He explained that the hospital’s relocation to the permanent site was a calculated effort and determination to actualise the mission and vision of moving the health facility from analogue operations to digital operations.
Earlier, Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, said that the hospital achieved the feat because of the support of the minister.