The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State, Dr. Joseph Ugbaja, has taken over as the Chief Medical Director of the hospital in acting capacity, as the tenure of the immediate past CMD, Prof Anthony Igwegbe expired today.
The ceremony, which took place at the temporary site of the hospital in Nnewi, today 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 to newsmen after 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 a substantive CMD is elected. The process of electing a substantive CMD of NAUTH is on, and will be effected in due course, when the person comes, he will take over as the substantive CMD.
Continuing, Prof Anthony Igwegbe said that, "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 for the building of new departments and equipments to the permanent site is realised in due course" he advised.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ugbaja described the task as an enormous responsibility; adding that he would give all his energies to make it work.
He said that, "It is an enormous responsibility; but we are not afraid; because, we have been in the management space in the past seven years."
He however stated that, there is need for 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 equipments. This administration would apply pubic/private(PPP) model in driving the affairs of the hospital, since government cannot do it all alone. Our vision is to rank as the top five teaching hospitals in Nigeria," he said.
Dr. Ugbaja, is a Consultant Optomologist and Gynecologist, who served for 4 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.