History and Milestones
From colonial roots to a modern academic medical centre, UNTH's history is a record of firsts, of service, and of steady institutional growth.
The UNTH story
The hospital was established early in the twentieth century as a standard healthcare centre for Africans, built by the colonial administration in Enugu. After Nigeria gained independence in 1960 it became a General Hospital.
At the end of the civil war in 1970 the government of the East Central State transformed it into a Specialist Hospital with effect from 1 July 1970. At that time the hospital had 50 doctors, some 350 nurses, ten wards, 300 beds and a chest bay of 60 beds.
By Decree No. 23 of 1974 the Federal Military Government took over the hospital while leaving its management with the Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital became independent in July 1976 with the appointment of an autonomous Management Board.
The permanent site at Ituku-Ozalla
Physical constraints at the old site, which had been developed as a general hospital, made the expansion required of a teaching hospital impossible. Approval was therefore sought and granted for a purpose-built complex at Ituku-Ozalla, 21 kilometres from Enugu along the Enugu to Port Harcourt Expressway.
All services were moved to the permanent site with effect from 8 January 2007, and the complex was officially commissioned in April 2007. The hospital site covers about 200 acres within a parcel of some 306 hectares, leaving substantial room for further development.
The hospital pursues its objectives of service, teaching and research through inpatient and outpatient care, clinical material and equipment for training and research, and teaching facilities for its students and the wider health team. Community services extend across the South East, supported by comprehensive health centre outposts at Obukpa near Nsukka in Enugu State, Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State and Isuochi in Abia State.
Milestones in our development
- Early 1900s
Colonial-era origins
A healthcare centre for Africans is built in Enugu by the colonial administration, forming the earliest predecessor of the institution.
- 1960
General Hospital
Following Nigerian independence the facility is designated a General Hospital serving the wider Enugu region.
- 1 July 1970
Specialist Hospital
The government of the East Central State upgrades the hospital to a Specialist Hospital, beginning its role as a referral centre for advanced clinical care.
- 1 February 1974
First open heart surgery in sub-Saharan Africa
The first successful open heart surgery in sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa is performed at UNTH. Open heart surgery has since become routine and the hospital is recognised for cardiothoracic medicine.
- 1974
Federal take-over
By Decree No. 23 of 1974 the Federal Military Government takes over the hospital, leaving management with the Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- 23 August 1975
Total hip transplant
A total hip transplant is successfully carried out at the hospital.
- July 1976
Autonomous Teaching Hospital
UNTH becomes independent with the appointment of an autonomous Management Board, formally linking service, teaching and research.
- 1986
Centre of excellence in cardiothoracic surgery
The Federal Military Government designates UNTH a centre of excellence in cardiothoracic surgery.
- 19 August 1987
First surviving quintuplets
The first surviving quintuplets born to Nigerian parents are delivered at the hospital.
- 8 January 1988
Siamese twins separated
A set of pygopagus Siamese twins is successfully separated, the first known pygopagus twins to survive in Africa.
- 1989
Staff welfare scheme
UNTH introduces a staff welfare scheme covering mortgages, car loans and personal loans. Other teaching hospitals continue to study it as a model.
- 1991 to 2000
WHO Centre for Innovation in Medical Education
The hospital is designated a World Health Organisation Centre for Innovation in Medical Education.
- 2001 to 2010
Re-equipping and new facilities
UNTH is one of eight teaching hospitals re-equipped under the Federal Government VAMED assisted engineering programme, builds a radiotherapy complex, launches a centre for biomedical engineering, runs a free cleft surgery clinic with Smile Train and commissions an oxygen generating plant producing sixty cylinders a day.
- 2008
Pain and palliative care
The pain and palliative care clinic is launched, working towards the internationally recognised right to a pain free life.
- 8 January 2007
Relocation to Ituku-Ozalla
Movement to the permanent site begins, and the complex is officially commissioned in April 2007 by then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
- 5 May 2009
Laparoscopic surgery introduced
Laparoscopic surgery begins at UNTH, and in 2009 the hospital is designated, with five other teaching hospitals, a centre for stem cell transplantation in Nigeria.
- Present
Cancer Centre of Excellence
UNTH operates more than 700 beds and over forty departments with three community outposts, and is one of the Federal Cancer Centres of Excellence in Nigeria.