University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) is a prominent federal government-owned tertiary healthcare institution located in Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria. It is deeply integrated with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, serving as a vital center for medical education, research, and patient care.

History and Evolution:

UNTH’s origins trace back to the early 20th century, when it began as a general hospital for Africans established by colonial administrators. Upon Nigeria’s independence in the 1960s, it transitioned into a general hospital. A significant transformation occurred on July 1, 1970, when the East Central State government converted it into a Specialist Hospital. In 1974, the Federal Military Government took over the hospital’s ownership, though management remained with the Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. UNTH gained full independence in July 1976 with the establishment of its own autonomous Management Board.

The hospital’s initial facility, located near Ogbete Market in Enugu, faced physical constraints for expansion. Consequently, a new, permanent site was constructed at Ituku-Ozalla, approximately 21 kilometers from Enugu city. All services were fully transitioned to this new site on January 8, 2007. The new complex, equipped under the Federal Government’s VAMED Engineering Equipment Programme, aims to provide international standard healthcare.

Facilities and Capacity:

UNTH boasts a significant infrastructure, with a bed capacity of over 500 beds at its permanent site. It comprises 41 main departments and three outposts: Comprehensive Health Centers in Obukpa (Enugu State), Abagana (Anambra State), and Isuochi (Abia State).9 The hospital also hosts the Faculty of Dentistry/Dental Surgery and Medical Sciences of the University of Nigeria.

Services Provided:

As a tertiary healthcare institution and a federal government teaching hospital, UNTH offers a comprehensive array of medical services, including:

• Specialized Medical and Surgical Services: Covering a wide range of disciplines, including cardiology (notably, UNTH performed the first open-heart surgery in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa in 1974), pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, dentistry, pharmacy, and many more across its 41 departments.
• Emergency Services: Equipped with an emergency department to handle critical cases.
• Diagnostic Services: Including laboratory tests and imaging services.
• Patient Support Facilities: Such as counseling services and nutrition advice.
• Referral Center: Serves as a referral center for the southeastern and South-South regions of Nigeria.
• Cancer Center of Excellence: It is one of eight federally funded Cancer Centers of Excellence across Nigeria.

Training and Research:

UNTH plays a crucial role in medical education and research.15 Its core objectives include:

• Training Medical Professionals: Providing teaching facilities for undergraduate medical students (MBBS level), residency training for doctors to become specialists, and clinical exposure for nurses, midwives, and community health workers. It has several training schools/programs, including the School of Nursing.
• Promoting and Conducting Research: Actively involved in medical research on various health-related matters, contributing to advancements in medical knowledge and healthcare outcomes. It has hosted epidemiological and observational studies, as well as Phase II and III clinical trials on drug treatments for malaria, vaccine trials, and TB drug trials.

Mission and Values:

UNTH’s mission is to deliver excellence in patient care, advance that care through innovative research and education, and improve the health and well-being of the diverse communities it serves. It aims to provide in-patient and out-patient services with highly trained staff, adequate clinical materials, and equipment for service and research. The hospital strives to provide affordable and quality healthcare.