By Our Correspondent
National News – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has unveiled a modern 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging facility at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, Anambra State, in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in the South-East.
The MRI facility was officially handed over on Friday through the NNPC Foundation during a ceremony attended by government officials, medical experts and community leaders.
The new MRI system is expected to improve early diagnosis, reduce patient referrals outside the region and enhance access to quality medical care for thousands of Nigerians.
Speaking during the event, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, said the project forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts to modernise healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Ojulari explained that the MRI installation at the teaching hospital would serve patients in Anambra State and neighbouring South-East states.
He noted that Nigeria’s health sector continues to face equipment shortages, funding challenges and personnel gaps, making the intervention timely and necessary.
According to him, the MRI machine will help reduce the burden on patients who often travel long distances for specialised scans and treatment.
He added that the investment aligns with NNPC’s broader goal of improving public welfare beyond the oil and gas industry.
The Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Joe Ugboaja, praised the NNPC Foundation for the donation, describing the project as a major boost for healthcare services and medical training.
He assured stakeholders that the hospital would maintain the facility properly to ensure long-term sustainability.
Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, stated that inadequate healthcare infrastructure contributes to preventable deaths across Nigeria.
She said the MRI system would improve diagnosis, treatment and healthcare accessibility while reducing the financial burden on patients.
Traditional rulers, representatives of teaching hospitals, state officials and university management members attended the unveiling ceremony in Nnewi.
