The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) has celebrated and rewarded staff members for their exceptional dedication and outstanding contributions to patient care and hospital management.
Prof. Bob Ukonu, Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UATH, made the commendation during the 2025 UATH Annual Staff and Corporate Awards held in Gwagwalada on Monday.
He noted that the commitment of staff had positioned the hospital to compete effectively with leading health institutions nationwide and beyond.
The awards ceremony, instituted in 2017, has become a tradition aimed at recognising excellence, diligence, and selfless service in healthcare delivery.
Ukonu explained that the initiative has continued to evolve to ensure that only deserving staff are honoured for their hard work.
He emphasised that awardees had gone above and beyond in caring for patients and supporting hospital operations, sometimes at personal risk.
“Every awardee truly earns this recognition; it is genuine. Some work at unconventional hours, often putting their lives on the line to ensure excellent patient care,” he said.
Ukonu added that the awards also serve to motivate winners while inspiring other staff to maintain high standards in their duties.
He singled out Nurse Usman Mariam as the best staff of the year, praising her dedication, and commended the labour ward unit for their exceptional performance, particularly in improving maternal health outcomes.
“Following earlier concerns about maternal mortality, our team in obstetrics and postnatal care has made remarkable progress, thanks to their dedication,” he said.
Ukonu reiterated that consistent hard work could earn recognition in future editions of the awards.
He urged staff to remain committed despite challenges, highlighting the management’s focus on celebrating excellence and dedication.
The Board Chairman of UATH, Dr. Ikechukwu Odikpo, thanked staff for their resilience, teamwork, and contributions to advancing the hospital’s mission.
“When vision meets teamwork, transformation is achievable,” he said, recounting achievements in 2025, including the pharmacy department’s capacity to produce over 14 items, such as morphine, and plans to expand this unit.
Odikpo also outlined plans to establish a marketing unit to boost the hospital’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and to launch the “Conquer Sudden Death” programme in 2026 to educate Nigerians on health awareness.
He encouraged public-private partnerships to invest in UATH, assuring that contributions would yield meaningful outcomes and help develop staff quarters and sustainable facilities, including solar-powered hospital interiors.
Dr. Anthony Bawa, Chairman of the 2025 Staff Award Committee, explained that winners were nominated by their respective departments and selected based on merit, not handpicked.
“This award recognises unconditional commitment to improving lives,” he said, encouraging those not awarded to continue giving their best, noting that even unrecognised efforts are valued.
One of the awardees, Dr. Omachoko Oguche, honoured as the consultant with the highest number of surgeries, thanked management on behalf of all winners.
“Receiving this award motivates us to work even harder. We are committed to giving our best to elevate the hospital to the next level,” he said.
The event’s highlights included cash prizes and plaques for the best staff of the year, Nurse Usman Mariam, and the best department/unit, the labour ward.
Special recognition was also given to NGOs, including PENGASSAN Foundation, Stanley Inye Lawson Foundation, and the Cuddle School Abuja, for their contributions to healthcare and community support.