The Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate (CON), has described Professor Joseph Ugboaja (OON), the Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, as the image setter of the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare. He made this statement during the opening ceremony of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) & Medical Directors of Federal Medical Hospitals in Nigeria (CCMDFTH), which was held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the permanent site of the hospital.
The Minister, represented by Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen (mni), the Director of Hospital Service of the Ministry, praised the CMD for projecting the Ministry’s image effectively. He commended the hospital for implementing the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, a key initiative being promoted by the Ministry of Health in all tertiary institutions. He further emphasized that public perception of federal hospitals is changing for the better, and the Presidency is pleased that federal hospitals are at the forefront of this transformation.
The Chairman of the Committee (CCMDFTH) Professor Emem Bassy, also praised the collaboration among the hospital management team, calling it exemplary and a model for the hospital’s success. He noted that the planning and structure for the 109th CCMDFTH meeting by NAUTH was the most successful so far under his Chairmanship.
He further commended the CMD for continuing the vision of his predecessors in developing the hospital, and ensuring that its practices align with international best practices and the Ministry of Health vision.
According to him, the meeting would also provide an opportunity for members to learn from the leadership qualities of the CMD during the peer review process and to replicate same in their respective institutions to achieve similar success.
In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director highlighted the recent strides the hospital has made in reaching this milestone and its plans to specialize in areas such as Critical Care/Emergency Cases, Mother and Child Health, Minimal Access Surgery etc. He also announced that NAUTH has secured a professional accreditation from the West African College of Surgeons to run a Post-graduate Studies on Minimal Access Surgery – particularly Gynae Endoscopy, making it the only tertrary institution in the West Africa to secure such accreditation.
Finally, he warmly welcomed the members to Nnewi and informed them of plans to visit the hospital’s major stakeholders in the city for potential collaborations and partnerships.