NAUTH committees a world-class orthopaedic centre named it after former CMD

The Orthopaedic and Trauma Center of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State will soon be a place where patients from Nigeria and other West African countries will visit to access world class services.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the health institution, Professor Joseph Ugboaja (OON) disclosed this in his address during the commissioning of the new Orthopedic complex at the permanent site of the hospital by the former CMD of the hospital, Prof Robinson Ofiaeli. The Orthopaedic complex was also named after him.

Prof Ugboaja said that the complex comprises the Orthopaedic Clinic, the Trauama & Emergency Centre.

He explained that the clinic complex comprises six well furnished and air-conditioned clinics, offices, nursing and ancillary units, while the Trauma & Emergency complex, a 100-bedded facility, contains a large Crash area, Orthopaedic Wards, 15-bedded ICU, 2 modular theaters and a mobile digital X-ray room. It also has the full compliments of Pharmacy, laboratory, records unit, call rooms and a seminar room.

The CMD disclosed that the Trauma & Emergency unit is a part of the 200- bedded Emergency complex which would serve as a training and service area for the upcoming International Centre for Emergency and Critical care.

Prof Ugboaja said that the supporting Radiology unit which would house the center’s dedicated digital X-ray machine and CT-Scan is almost ready.

Enunciating his vision for the new Orthopaedic complex, the CMD said that the vision is to have an Orthopaedic center of excellence.

“I want to see an Orthopedic center that will represent our dream of excellence. I want an Orthopedic department where many Nigerians and patients from other West African countries will come to access services. That’s why we named it after Prof RO Ofiaeli, who represents hard work, tenacity, courage, as well as visionary and committed leadership.

“And that is the charge I’m giving to the department; to follow in the giant and noble strides of its founding father. Our management will give you all the needed support to ensure that you achieve this vision, “he said.

The CMD reiterated that his vision is to bring NAUTH to rank among the best three hospitals in Nigeria by the year 2030 through the implementation of a 10-year strategic and development plan that commenced in 2021 and noted that, although it has not been easy, that the plan is very much on course and attributed the success so far to God and collective efforts of all the stakeholders.

“We’re building a new NAUTH; a hospital that will rank among the best three in Nigeria by the year 2030. At the rate we’re going, it is likely that we will even meet our target before the year 2030. Ultimately, in the nearest future, by the special grace of God, NAUTH will emerge as the best hospital in this country, “the CMD added.

In his response, Prof Ofiaeli thanked Prof Ugboaja for the honour done to him.
He lauded the CMD for what he described as great transformation he has brought to the hospital since his assumption of duty as the Chief Medical Director.

The highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape to open the facility and the tour of the complex by all the guests and staff present.
The programme was well attended by the stakeholders, staff and management of the hospital.
Prof Ugboaja revealed that the next complex to be commissioned is the new Surgery & Urology Clinics.