Health
How We’ve Managed Anioma Hospital Without Friction for 42 Years—Idiaghe Brothers
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
The ancient city of Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, houses many hospitals. While some are government-owned such as the General Hospital and Primary Healthcare Centers (PHC), others were established and operated by faith-based organizations like churches. The rest, which of course are higher in number, were midwifed by private individuals.
Among these privately owned hospitals is Anioma Hospital. The subtle meaning of Anioma in the Igbo language is good land.
Aside from the quality of service delivery, which is the hallmark of the hospital in the past 42 years, Anioma Hospital has for other obvious reasons, scored other firsts.
The hospital is the first indigenous private hospital in the ancient city of Agbor and arguably among the league’s most popular, well-known and highly respected by all adult indigenes of the Ika nation and non-indigenes resident in the part of the state.
It was established about 42 years ago by the Ute-okpu-born Medical Doctor, Dr Idiaghe Samuel Ndubuchi Aquila, in the Ika North East Local government area of Delta State.
Aquila who was born in December 1943, trained as a medical doctor at Ahmadu Bello University, where he graduated in 1976.
What is, however, not known to the public, which of course is the most interesting feat, is that the hospital has been managed successfully in the past 42 years of its existential journey by two brothers with neither rancour nor friction.
While Dr Idiaghe Samuel Ndubuchi Aquila is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), his younger brother, Mr Godwin Uwaifo Idiaghe, who is now 74 years old, functions as the hospital administrator.
Narrating to the media how Anioma Hospital came into being, Dr Idiaghe stated that when he graduated from Medical School in 1976 and did his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), he came back home and enrolled on the then Hospital Management Board where he was employed and posted to Patani as a medical officer.
At this duty post, he was made to cover Patani and Bomadi General Hospitals and used a speedboat as his ambulance. From there, he was posted to General House, Ubiaja and then to Agbor.
“You know that was during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s time when it was mandatory to serve for five years before you could work/establish your own. That said, I would have continued to serve the then Bendel State Government if not for the fact that there was a malicious transfer from Agbor back to Ugu-aja and because of that malicious transfer, I had to resign,” he said.
On how the Anioma Hospital was established, he narrated that, “Anioma Hospital was founded in November 1980. As I said earlier, there was an urge to serve my people and that was why I declined to be retained at Akure after my youth service. I had to come home to serve my people and in serving my people, I chose to establish my hospital in Agbor. It was my patriotism that led me to choose the name Anioma Hospital.
“When I eventually pulled out from serving the government in 1980, because of my record in service in General Hospital Agbor, I pulled out with a lot of crowds. My clinic was booming. Since I couldn’t handle it alone, I decided to involve my younger brother, who was then working at Leventis Lagos. I immediately invited him to be the administrator. I said he should come and help me administer and since then, we have been getting on for the past 42 years.”
Asked what set the stage for peaceful co-existence, he responded, “For two people to get along, there must be a lot of great understanding and tolerance, and the ability to study ourselves. The leader must be accommodating. Whatever you have in this world, you’re not carrying it back to your grave.”
He further attributed their unity to the way they were brought up by their late parents.
“There’s a reward for hard work, there’s a reward for discipline. I believe that all human beings are equal. Everybody cannot be a professor, everybody cannot be an engineer, and everybody cannot be a doctor. Whatever you are, make the best use of that position to the good of mankind and to the good of people around you because a tree can never make a forest,” he said.
On their retirement plan, he said, “As long as God continues to bless me with good health, I will continue to soldier on. A good soldier dies with his boot. Most of my colleagues and my classmates are Professors all over the country and most of them have retired. Some of them also own their private clinics, some are no longer working. I happen to be the WhatsApp administrator of my class group. So, I’m always in touch with them.
“I have always been here in Agbor right from the time I established the hospital apart from my occasional travels outside the country to the US and other parts of the world for vacations.”
Talking about his brother, he stressed that as long as he’s comfortable with me, as long as he has good health, and as long as the two of them are available and can work together in peace, there may be no need for him to contemplate retiring.
Asked to advise upcoming youths on how to handle collaboration in business, he said, “Like I said earlier, birds of the same feather flock together, and work together. No one should leave the other behind.
“There was a rule I made that no staff should intervene in our relationship and we kept to it rigidly. You should know that for you to be a good leader, you must have good followers. The secret of our success is tolerance. The secret is understanding, never carry the things of the world on your head.”
“I have three medical doctors. My first daughter is a chartered accountant and has her PhD in view. My second daughter is a medical doctor, my son is a medical doctor and also a software engineer. He registered for software engineering on his own. My second son is also a medical doctor in the United Kingdom.
“My first son is in and out of health practice. He cannot be tied down to a particular location but anytime I call on him, he’ll always come. Also, for my brother, all his children are graduates and doing well in their fields of endeavours but none of them is a medical doctor,” he concluded.
Corroborating his elder brother, Mr Godwin Uwaifo Idiaghe said he has maintained a frictionless relationship with his sibling because of the understanding between them.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has launched its first nationally representative survey on antimicrobial resistance to generate critical data to guide evidence-based policies, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen health system resilience.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist treatment, making infections harder to cure.
As a result, surveillance is essential to track resistance patterns, identify priority pathogens, and guide targeted interventions and with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, the initiative marks a milestone in the country’s public health response.
Nigeria becomes the third country globally to partner with WHO on a national antimicrobial resistance survey. having been selected based on the country’s strong commitment to AMR surveillance, its updated WHO Nigeria NAP 2.0, and readiness to expand laboratory and data systems.
Africa’s most populous country ranks 20th globally for age-standardized mortality due to antimicrobial resistance . In 2019, an estimated 263,400 deaths in Nigeria were linked to it—more than the combined deaths from enteric infections, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, maternal and neonatal disorders, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases.
Globally, resistant infections in tertiary care settings cost between $2,371 and $29,289 per patient episode, extend hospital stays by an average of 7.4 days, and increase mortality risk by 84 per cent.
The survey will see the establishment of a national baseline on antimicrobial resistance prevalence to monitor interventions, assess the distribution, burden (morbidity, mortality, DALYs, cost), and diversity of AMR across regions and populations, as well as contribute to the global target of reducing AMR deaths by 10 per cent by 2030, in line with the political declaration endorsed at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in 2024.
It also seeks to strengthen routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance, including diagnostics, sample referral systems, and laboratory capacity.
Using WHO’s standardized methodology, the survey will run for 12–15 months and cover 40–45 randomly selected health facilities nationwide. Patients with suspected bloodstream infections (BSIs) will be identified using standard case definitions, and blood samples will be analysed in quality-assured laboratories.
Data will be collected across all age groups, covering clinical, demographic, laboratory, financial, and outcome indicators. Follow-up will occur at discharge, 28 days, and three months post-infection. The survey will sample approximately 35,000 patients suspected of BSIs to obtain around 800 isolates of the most common pathogens.
Dr Tochi Okwor, Acting Head, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said, “With WHO’s support, we are confident the survey will generate the evidence needed to protect public health.”
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment stating that ,“Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward combating AMR with an approach grounded in data, science, and measurable impact. This survey will provide the clarity needed to drive smarter policies, stronger surveillance, and better patient outcomes. Nigeria is laying the foundations for a resilient health system, one that protects lives, strengthens trust, and ensures that essential medicines remain effective for future generations.”
Adding her input, Dr Laetitia Gahimbare, Technical Officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa, added:“Strengthening surveillance enhances Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to AMR threats, supporting better patient outcomes, reinforcing health security, and building a resilient system.”
Professor Babatunde Ogunbosi, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at University College Hospital, Ibadan, highlighted the broader impact:, “This survey is about more than data. It’s about building national capacity for research, diagnostics, and policy. It integrates science into public health decision-making.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) in Nigeria, SUNU Health, has said its philosophy is proactive wellness, noting that this was why it recently partnered with The Divine Physician and St. Luke Catholic Chaplaincy Centre for a community health initiative.
The chief executive of the company, Dr Patrick Korie, said, “SUNU Health’s vision extends far beyond merely offering health packages and insurance.”
“We are fundamentally interested in proactive wellness—preventing illness rather than just treating it. This annual exercise is a crucial part of that commitment, and we will continue to champion it for as long as we exist,” he stressed.
The medical practitioner led the company’s annual Health Walk in Lagos on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The event drew hundreds of health enthusiasts, including the Chaplain of the centre, Rev Fr. John Okoria SJ.
His active participation reinforced the spiritual and moral commitment to holistic well-being, proving crucial in mobilizing staff and community members, thereby ensuring the vital wellness message reached a broad and deeply engaged audience.
The health walk covered several major streets in Lagos, starting from Ishaga Road and navigating through Itire Road, Randle Avenue, Akerele, Ogunlana Drive, and Workers Street before concluding back at the starting point. Following the vigorous walk, participants engaged in a session of high-energy aerobics and other outdoor exercises, reinforcing the day’s focus on fitness.
“We are delighted to champion this vital health initiative alongside the Catholic Chaplaincy Centre LUTH/CMUL. The turnout was truly delightful, reflecting the community’s deep desire to embrace wellness.
“Collaborations like this amplify our message and commitment to the Nigerian community,” the Brand and Corporate Communications Lead at SUNU Health, Mr Samuel Olayemi, stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Coronation Registrars Limited, a subsidiary of Coronation Group, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), recently hosted a Blood Drive Initiative at the 5th floor of Coronation Group Plaza. The event saw over 80 staff donate blood to support critical healthcare needs in Lagos State.
The Blood Drive Initiative forms part of Coronation’s commitment to meaningful, human-centred corporate social responsibility, a direct, measurable, and life-saving effort that reflects the Group’s health and sustainability values.
As Prosperity Partners dedicated to creating sustainable wealth for clients and the African continent, Coronation recognises that true prosperity extends beyond financial returns to encompass the well-being of communities we serve.
The company noted that this initiative enabled it to deliver immediate social impact by supporting national blood supply shortfalls through employee-driven action, demonstrate leadership in health-focused CSR aligned with ESG goals and SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), strengthen internal culture by fostering employee engagement, empathy, and purpose in a safe, structured environment, and reinforce corporate reputation through public-facing acts of service, stakeholder trust, and media visibility.
Blood donation remains a critical need in Nigeria, where regular blood supply is essential for emergency care, surgeries, and treatment of various medical conditions. Each donation can save up to three lives, and the collective effort of Coronation employees will significantly impact patients in need across Lagos State healthcare facilities.
“This aligns seamlessly with Coronation’s broader sustainability agenda, which views healthcare access as fundamental to building prosperous communities across Africa,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Partnering with a certified medical institution, the drive was professionally managed, medically compliant, and logistically efficient. Participants underwent necessary medical screening procedures to ensure donor fitness and safety. Following their donations, donors received refreshments and appreciation for their life-saving contribution.
“At Coronation, we believe in making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve,” said Mr Oluseyi Owoturo, Chief Executive Officer of Coronation Registrars Limited. “This Blood donation Initiative reflects our values in action, saving lives, building community, and positioning the company as a purpose-driven brand. We’re proud of our employees who stepped forward to donate blood and save lives. This is what sustainable impact looks like: tangible solutions that address real challenges facing our continent.”
The partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee ensured professional handling of the donation process, meeting all safety and quality standards for blood collection and storage.
Coronation Registrars Limited says it continues to demonstrate that corporate success goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility.
“This initiative reinforces the company’s purpose to create a prosperous future for clients and the African continent through transformational solutions,” it added.
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