GOV. OTTI TARGETS JCI CERTIFICATION FOR ABSUTH, 2 OTHER SPECIALIST HOSPITALS IN ABIA.

The Governor, Dr Alex Otti has restated the commitment of his administration to upgrade healthcare delivery to international standards in line with his resolve to secure Joint Commission International certification for Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba and Amachara General Hospital, Umuahia.

Governor Otti stated this when he received in his Nvosi-Isialangwa South Office the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of JNC International Limited, Mrs Clare Omatseye, and her delegation who were in the State to present progress reports on the ongoing redesign, upgrade, and installation of modern medical equipment across tertiary hospitals in the State.

The Governor expressed satisfaction with the quality of work across the facilities and stressed the need for the contractor to hasten up work, especially ABSUTH for the MRI machine to be installed as soon as possible.

He explained that the decision to centralise advanced radiography services at ABSUTH, were carefully designed to ensure efficiency and maximum impact, assuring that all necessary approvals would be expedited to accelerate project delivery.

“The decision to centralise radiography, particularly at the highest level, was not taken lightly. We concluded that it would be more useful at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital”, Governor Otti explained.

The state Chief Executive used the forum to reiterate the determination of his administration to deliver world-class tertiary healthcare services across ABSUTH, Amachara General Hospital and Umunneato General Hospital to serve as models of excellence in health care services across Nigeria and beyond.

“What we are doing in Aba, we want to replicate in Amachara as another specialist tertiary hospital. It’s either we are doing it right or we are not doing it at all.

“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.

“A lot of times people know what to do, but they don’t have the will to do it. Here, we know what to do and we have the will and we will not stop until we achieve it”, Gov. Otti added.

Presenting a comprehensive update on the state’s healthcare transformation agenda earlier, the MD/CEO of JNC International Limited, Mrs. Clare Omatseye, commended Governor Otti for prioritising the Healthcare sector through sustained funding and systemic reforms.

She noted that the state has recorded significant progress across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels, including increased budgetary allocation, recruitment of medical personnel, expansion of health insurance coverage and the revitalisation of over 200 primary healthcare centres.

Mrs OMATSEYE also described the donation of a $1 million 1.5 Tesla MRI machine by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, noted that the gesture speaks volumes of Governor Alex Otti’s leadership and credibility, adding that the ongoing redevelopment work at ABSUTH, including upgraded architectural designs aligned with global standards, modern equipment planning and infrastructural improvements required for JCI accreditation.

According to Mrs OMATSEYE “Abia is on a firm trajectory towards achieving internationally recognised healthcare standards, the ongoing reforms are not only transforming infrastructure but also enhancing access, affordability and quality of healthcare”

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Ogbonnaya Uche while applauding the present administration’s achievements in the Healthcare,noted the growing international recognition and ongoing efforts to attain global healthcare standards through JCI certification and digital health partnerships.

The JCI certification, currently held by only a few hospitals in Nigeria, is widely regarded as the gold standard for healthcare quality, patient safety and operational excellence.