VICTOR ATTAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MEDICAL CENTRE: A NEW ERA OF SECONDARY HEALTHCARE IN AKWA IBOM

VICTOR ATTAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MEDICAL CENTRE: A NEW ERA OF SECONDARY HEALTHCARE IN AKWA IBOM

By Aniefiok Ekanem

The Victor Attah International Airport Medical Centre (VMC) represents a significant investment in Akwa Ibom State’s healthcare infrastructure, transforming what was initially a modest clinic established to serve airport personnel into a modern secondary healthcare facility equipped to provide quality medical services to airport users, surrounding communities and members of the general public. The development, under the administration of Governor Umo Bassey Eno, underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that the upgraded international airport is supported by a functional and well-equipped medical facility.

Designed to meet contemporary healthcare standards, the Medical Centre offers a range of medical services supported by modern infrastructure, specialised equipment and patient-centred facilities aimed at improving healthcare delivery. A notable feature is the provision of piped oxygen and vacuum systems at individual patient beds across the wards. The facility also has noise-free patient call systems, enabling patients to request assistance promptly while maintaining a calm hospital environment. These provisions promote patient comfort, safety, privacy and an improved healthcare experience.

The centre is equipped with essential emergency medical devices, including manual defibrillators for cardiac emergencies, ultrasound scanners for rapid medical assessments and electrocardiogram (ECG) machines for cardiovascular diagnosis. These facilities strengthen the centre’s emergency response capacity and support timely medical interventions, particularly in critical situations. Their availability also enhances the ability of medical personnel to undertake prompt assessments and provide appropriate treatment.

In the area of surgical services, the Medical Centre has three functional theatres strategically designed to accommodate different categories of surgical procedures. These include a dedicated maternity theatre, an emergency theatre located within the emergency department and a main theatre reserved for elective and specialised surgical procedures. The main theatre is equipped with a C-arm imaging system and other supporting surgical equipment, while modern anaesthesia machines provide ventilatory support during operations. These facilities position the centre to undertake emergency surgeries as well as planned surgical interventions.

Further strengthening its diagnostic capacity, the Medical Centre operates a fully automated digital laboratory equipped with modern diagnostic technology. It also has a functional blood bank to support emergency response, surgical procedures and other medical conditions requiring blood transfusion. These critical components enhance clinical decision-making and contribute to the facility’s capacity to provide comprehensive medical services.

Maternal and child healthcare also constitute important components of the centre’s service delivery. The facility has dedicated antenatal services and two newborn care units, including Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs), designed to provide specialised attention to newborns delivered within the centre as well as babies referred from other facilities for paediatric assessment and intervention. The paediatric section also features a children’s playground, creating a child-friendly environment that promotes comfort and well-being during medical care.

In recognition of the importance of privacy, convenience and confidentiality in healthcare delivery, the Medical Centre provides private suites, a dedicated VIP entrance and a waiting lounge. Patients seeking VIP services can make appointments online and access medical consultations through a dedicated arrangement designed to minimise unnecessary contact with other patients. This provision further demonstrates the facility’s commitment to patient-centred care, convenience and a comfortable healthcare experience.

A major operational feature of the Medical Centre is its one-megawatt solar power installation, provided under the administration of Governor Umo Eno through Inouvation Tech, the technology company responsible for the installation. The renewable energy system is designed to provide reliable electricity for medical equipment, laboratory operations, emergency services and other essential hospital activities. Given the critical role of uninterrupted power supply in healthcare delivery, the installation represents an important investment in operational efficiency, energy reliability and the sustainability of medical services.

Beyond its primary responsibility of supporting airport operations, the Victor Attah International Airport Medical Centre is also accessible to surrounding communities and members of the general public, thereby expanding access to secondary healthcare services. Its modern diagnostic facilities, specialised operating theatres, maternal and paediatric services, emergency response capacity and dependable power infrastructure position it as an important healthcare resource within Akwa Ibom State.

As the state continues to advance its healthcare development agenda, the Victor Attah International Airport Medical Centre stands as a significant example of strategic infrastructure investment, with the potential to improve healthcare access, enhance patient experience and strengthen public service delivery in Akwa Ibom State.

©️MOI