Dr Joseph Ugboaja Takes Over As NAUTH Acting CMD

By Ifeoma Ejiofor

Dr Ugbaja takes over as NAUTH Acting CMD

The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State, Dr. Joseph Ugbaja on Monday took over as the Chief Medical Director of the hospital in acting capacity. He took over from Prof Anthony Igwegbe, whose tenure ended January 25.

The ceremony, which took place at the temporary site of the hospital in Nnewi was witnessed by chairman of hospital board, Chief Izekiel Iramiya; represented by a staff of the hospital, Mrs Rosemary Okeighazi; Deputy CMAC, Dr Ugochukwu Ezejiofor; Head of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Chinyelu Onwuka; Head of Accounts, Mrs V.C Nduka; Head of Works, Mrs Pamela Ohanaja; among others.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the outgoing Chief Medical Director, Chief Anthony Igwegbe,  said Dr Ugbaja, being his direct deputy, was taking over from him on acting capacity.

"Dr. Ugbaja is taking over because he is my direct deputy. So, based on seniority, he will be acting until substantive CMD is elected. The process of electing substantive CMD of NAUTH is on. When the person comes, he will take over as substantive CMD.

"Meanwhile, construction and movement to the permanent site is ongoing. A lot has been done there, and I urge the Acting CMD to work hard to ensure that the vision of mobilising as much departments and equipments as possible to the permanent site is realised," he advised.

Dr. Ugbaja in an interaction with journalists after the handing over ceremony described the task an enormous responsibility; adding that he would give it all his energies to make it work. 

"It is an enormous responsibility; but we are not afraid; because, we have been in the management level in the past seven years. But we need the support of all; because, we cannot do it alone.

"As we go into work, we have three cardinal agenda: Infrastructural development, staff training and acquisition of equipment. This administration would apply pubic/private model in driving the affairs of the hospital, since government cannot do it alone. Our vision is to rank as the top five teaching hospitals in Nigeria 

"NAUTH must be transformed. The staff must sit up. The public outcry against the hospital is not without a basis and we have come to a stage where its either you sit up and do your duties very well or you leave the system. Our patients deserve quality attention.

''Its the duty of all of us to ensure that this hospital stands out in the country. All the stakeholders need to come together to develop the hospital."The Acting CMD stressed.

Dr Ugboaja said further that are a lot of opportunities for collaboration utilizing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) platform which is a win win situation for both the institution and the investor. 

He encouraged corporate organizations and individuals who are interested in partnering with the hospital to come along.

The new acting CMD while commenting the media practitioners for their partnership with NAUTH expressed the desire to have a more robust partnership with the media because of their crucial roles as critical stakeholders in the health sector.

Dr. Ugbaja, a Consultant Optomologist and Gynecologist, served four years as Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee between 2013 and 2017, and Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, from 2017 till his recent appointment as Acting CMD.