The Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) has upgraded its medical facilities with new surgical equipment valued at over N500 million, as part of efforts to transform the institution into a world-class tertiary healthcare and specialist training centre. The upgrades were disclosed by the Chief Medical Director of ESUTH, Prof. Bethrand Ngwu, during an inspection of the newly installed facilities. The equipment aims to strengthen the hospital's capacity to provide faster and more specialised care to patients.
The upgrades include the main theatre, Accident and Emergency Department, and specialised equipment for complex surgical procedures. Prof. Ngwu said the equipment was provided by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to support postgraduate medical training and accreditation. The hospital has secured multiple five-year accreditations from the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Surgeons in areas including Family Medicine, Anaesthesia, Physiotherapy, and Radiography.
The upgraded Accident and Emergency Department has been developed to function as an autonomous unit, enabling emergency patients to undergo necessary investigations and receive immediate treatment without being moved unnecessarily between different sections of the hospital. The arrangement allows patients to receive immediate treatment within the unit, while those requiring surgery can be operated on there and later transferred to the ward after stabilisation.
The new equipment has expanded the hospital's capacity to undertake highly specialised procedures such as neurosurgery. The neurosurgical theatre has received new operating tables, ventilators, and specialised anaesthetic equipment fitted with capnography, which enables doctors to monitor carbon dioxide levels during complex operations. ESUTH has recorded several accreditation successes across its specialist programmes since 2023.
Accreditation is essential for the hospital, as resident doctors must train in accredited programmes before proceeding to their professional examinations. ESUTH has received accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which oversees undergraduate medical training, with the hospital's MBBS quota subsequently increased to 350 medical students. The hospital's School of Nursing has also been upgraded to a College of Nursing.
The hospital has a strong specialist manpower, with approximately 126 full-time consultants and 50 part-time consultants covering different fields of specialty. The hospital has nearly 300 resident doctors, 540 nurses, and 120 house officers. Governor Mbah has granted approval for a further increase in the hospital's manpower. The hospital's resident doctors are benefiting from the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), introduced by the Mbah administration to support specialist training and professional examinations.
The hospital is working towards completing a new multi-storey medical and diagnostic complex containing several theatres, advanced laboratories, intensive care units, and recovery rooms. The existing theatre building has been refurbished and modified in line with requirements raised by the National Postgraduate Medical College. The hospital's interns have expressed appreciation for the intervention and are planning a statewide sporting championship in honour of the governor.
Key points
- The Enugu State University Teaching Hospital has upgraded its facilities with N500m equipment to improve specialist care and postgraduate training.
- The hospital has secured multiple five-year accreditations from the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Surgeons.
- The hospital's resident doctors are benefiting from the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), introduced by the Mbah administration.
