Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has set a target of securing Joint Commission International certification for Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, alongside Amachara Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, and Umunnato Specialist Hospital, Bende.
The three facilities are currently undergoing reconstruction and upgrade into modern referral centres across the state’s senatorial zones.
Otti stated this on Monday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of JNCI, Mrs Clare Omatseye, and her team, who briefed him on the progress of the ongoing redesign, reconstruction and equipping of the hospitals.
JCI certification is widely regarded as a global benchmark for healthcare quality, patient safety and operational standards, and is currently held by only two hospitals in Nigeria.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far, noting that his administration is also restructuring the management of ABSUTH to improve efficiency.
“I am happy that we have made a lot of progress. While we are doing these, we are also rejigging the management and leadership of ABSUTH, Aba. Everything is going on simultaneously,” Otti stated.
He added that his government would provide all necessary approvals to fast-track the projects, stressing the need to avoid delays.
“All the documents that are required to be signed, please let’s have them, and we will sign and return them within the week. We will also put more pressure on the contractor, even if he has to work 24 hours, because I do not like the sound of delay,” he added.
Otti explained that the decision to centralise advanced radiography services at ABSUTH was aimed at ensuring efficiency and maximising impact.
He noted that the Amachara and Umunnato hospitals are being developed as tertiary facilities to complement ABSUTH in delivering specialised healthcare services.
Earlier, Omatseye commended the state government for reforms in the health sector, noting improvements across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels.
She disclosed that a $1m MRI machine donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be installed at ABSUTH, adding that the state is making steady progress towards meeting international healthcare standards.
