By Praise Chinecherem
President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned permanent site of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.
Speaking during the inauguration, Buhari said the National Health Act had made it mandatory for Nigerians to receive free medical care irrepective of tribe to the tune of N250,000 annually.
The president, represented by Minister of State for Health, Mr Joseph Ekumankama, said the Act has also supported the issuance of health insurance to all Nigerians.
He said the current administration has made it mandatory that the health sector receives 100 per cent budget funding.
He said, “What we see here today is a lot of sacrifice, a lot of projects seek attention from the national budget, but the Federal government decided to invest heavily in this particular project.
“It will be a thing of sorrow in few years if one comes to this facility and see it deteriorating.
“Make sure you do everything possible to ensure you render the best health care services to the people who will come from far and near to receive medical health care from this hospital and also ensure maintenance of these beautiful edifice.”
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs Adejoke Adefulire-Orelope, said that there was much work to be done, saying that the work is still ongoing and they will continue to work with the new administration.
She emphasized that one of the basic goals of SDGs was to ensure effective primary health care in rural communities.
Chief Medical Director of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Dr Joseph Ugboaja said the inauguration and relocation of the hospital to permanent site was one of his agenda on assumption of office.
He pledged the commitment of the hospital management towards ensuring the hospital was global competitive.
Earlier, Chairman Management Board of the hospital, Ezekiel Afukonyo said the hospital has operated from its temporary site more than 30 years of its inception, with limited space for proper treatment of patients care and future expansion.
Afukonyo noted that the board resolved and moved the hospital to its permanent site to meet the yearnings of the people.
