ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has set a target for Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, as well as Amachara Specialist Hospital in Umuahia and Umunnato Specialist Hospital in Bende, to attain Joint Commission International certification.
The three health facilities are currently being reconstructed and upgraded into modern referral centres across the state’s senatorial districts.
Otti made this known on Monday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of JNCI, Mrs Clare Omatseye, and her delegation, who briefed him on the progress of the ongoing redesign, reconstruction, and equipping of the hospitals.
JCI certification is recognised globally as a benchmark for healthcare quality, patient safety, and operational standards, with only two hospitals in Nigeria currently holding the accreditation.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the progress of the projects, noting that his administration is also restructuring the management of ABSUTH to improve efficiency.
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“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 further assured that all necessary approvals would be issued promptly to avoid delays in project execution.
“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 also explained that centralising advanced radiography services at ABSUTH was aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery.
He added that Amachara and Umunnato hospitals are being developed as tertiary facilities to complement ABSUTH in providing specialised healthcare services.
Earlier, Mrs Omatseye commended the state government’s reforms in the health sector, highlighting improvements across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare systems.
She also disclosed that a $1m MRI machine donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be installed at ABSUTH, noting that Abia State is making steady progress toward achieving international healthcare standards.