By Romanus Okoye
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has announced the near-completion of a state-of-the-art trauma center at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), marking another milestone in his administration’s comprehensive healthcare transformation agenda.
The facility, being constructed from the ground up within the teaching hospital complex in Amaku-Awka, represents the first state-owned trauma center in the Southeast region and is designed as a modern, one-stop facility equipped to handle life-threatening medical emergencies. State-of-the-art medical equipment is currently being installed as the facility prepares for formal commissioning and public use.
This trauma center initiative forms part of a broader healthcare revolution that has positioned Anambra State as a leader in Nigeria’s health sector development. The state’s commitment extends across all levels of healthcare delivery, from Primary Health Centers (PHCs) to Tertiary Health Centers (THCs), reflecting Governor Soludo’s systematic approach to health sector transformation.
The comprehensive strategy has already earned national recognition, with Anambra State emerging as the overall winner of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge in December 2024, securing $1.2 million in prize money – comprising $700,000 as the national champion and an additional $500,000 as the South-East zonal winner.
These healthcare priorities are further reflected in Governor Soludo’s transformative 2025 budget of N607 billion, themed “Changing Gears 2.0,” which represents a 48% increase from the 2024 allocation. The budget dedicates N5 billion for cancer hospital development, N7 billion for hospital expansion projects, and N1 billion for free antenatal care services, emphasizing infrastructure development, economic transformation, human capital development, and social welfare.
Beyond the trauma center, the administration has undertaken extensive healthcare infrastructure development across the state. Recent achievements include the construction of a modern general hospital in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area, fulfilling a key campaign promise to underserved communities. The governor has also upgraded multiple primary healthcare centers and constructed five new general hospitals, equipping them with first-rate facilities and skilled personnel to ensure efficient, affordable, and quality healthcare services for residents.
Complementing these healthcare developments, the state recently completed ultra-modern road networks at the COOUTH complex, enhancing accessibility to the medical facilities and demonstrating the integrated approach to development planning. This holistic vision has contributed to Governor Soludo’s administration propelling Anambra State to fourth position in BudgIT’s State of States 2024 Report, reflecting strong fiscal sustainability and overall economic performance that supports sustained healthcare investment.
During his inspection of ongoing projects within the COOUTH complex, Governor Soludo emphasized his administration’s total commitment to prioritizing healthcare across every level of service delivery. The trauma center represents not just a building, but a comprehensive medical facility designed to save lives and provide world-class emergency care to residents of Anambra State and the broader Southeast region.
The facility’s completion will significantly enhance the state’s capacity to handle medical emergencies and trauma cases, addressing critical gaps in specialized healthcare services in the region. As the state prepares for the formal commissioning of this landmark facility, it underscores Governor Soludo’s determination to transform Anambra into a model state for healthcare delivery in Nigeria, ensuring that quality medical care remains accessible to all residents.
