The newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Nnewi, Anambra State, Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori, on Friday, February 14, 2025, said the college of medicine is poised for transformational growth under his leadership.

Dalori made this statement In his inaugural visit to the hospital’s permanent site, where he reiterated his commitment to enhancing healthcare services and improving the welfare of hospital staff.

Dalori emphasized that the hospital is on a path to becoming the number health institution in Africa, with a strong focus on sustainable development and collaboration among staff and students. “My priority will be the welfare, wellbeing, and motivation of all hospital personnel,” he stated, encouraging stakeholders to embrace ongoing development initiatives. He also revealed plans to reward hard work and dedication within the institution.

“I urge all staff and students to continue collaborating to ensure the ongoing development of the teaching hospital is sustained and elevated.

“We encourage everyone to put in more effort and hard work, just as we appreciate our staff’s dedication to ensuring quality healthcare services. The institution is growing rapidly, and we want everyone to embrace this development.

“The management will reward hard work, dedication, and strong leadership. Improving staff welfare will be a priority for us,” Dalori said.

The meeting also served as a platform to celebrate the establishment of a multi-billion naira Regional Radio Diagnostic Center at NAUTH, a project hailed by Chief Medical Director Prof. Joseph Ugboaja as a significant step towards curbing medical tourism in the South East region. “This facility reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the people of Ndi Igbo and their healthcare needs,” Ugboaja remarked, thanking both the President and Hon. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate, for their support.

Prof. Ugboaja highlighted some of the goals set by the hospital, which include the construction of a new 2,000-bed capacity facility, which, once completed, will position NAUTH among the premier healthcare institutions in Nigeria. The hospital’s other ongoing projects encompass a Trauma Center, Medical Emergency Unit, and a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Center, among others.

“I want to specially appreciate the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Hon. Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate for their support to us”.

He also disclosed that by the time the 2000- bed capacity facility being built in the permanent site was completed among other numerous projects already completed and ongoing, NAUTH would become the biggest and best in Nigeria.

“With the solid backing of its leadership and ambitious projects underway, NAUTH is set to redefine healthcare standards in the region, providing hope for an improved and accessible healthcare future for all.”

He appreciated the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social welfare Prof Muhamed Ali Pate CON, for their enormous support to them.

He disclosed that NAUTH Mega Project remained a testament of Mr President’s love for Igbos and the people of Southeast region.

Expressing confidence in the new board chairman’s leadership, Ugboaja lauded Dalori as an astute administrator and a man of integrity dedicated to bringing further development and opportunities to the institution.

The gathering witnessed attendance from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hospital staff, students, and significant stakeholders, unified in the vision to elevate NAUTH to the forefront of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.