Ebonyi, 19th March 2026 -- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AEFUTH), Abakiliki, Ebonyi State has today unveiled a paediatric theatre that has been renovated by global charities Smile Train and Kids Operating Room (KidsOR).
In low- and middle-income countries, around 85 per cent of children will need surgical care before their 15th birthday, but more than a billion children worldwide lack access to safe, affordable, and timely surgical and anesthesia care. Hundreds of children are expected to benefit from the state-of-the-art Operating Room, which has been outfitted with equipment tailored for pediatric surgical care. AEFUTH is the eighth operating room that has been renovated by the Smile Train-KidsOR partnership in Nigeria.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Smile Train Program Assistant Adaeze Muonyelu acknowledged that the philanthropic act by Smile Train in partnership with KidsOR will greatly improve access to both elective and emergency operations in AEFUTH, thereby reducing morbidities and mortalities from delays in emergency surgery and long waits for elective surgery.
“The provision of a dedicated theatre for paediatric patients is highly commendable in many respects, especially in Ebonyi where the available operating facilities are grossly inadequate to cater to the large population. Smile Train is focused on strengthening public health systems through our sustainable partnership model. Supporting AEFUTH in this renovation will increase their capacity and elevate the quality of care for children across the state. We remain committed to boosting the capacity of local healthcare professionals while prioritizing children in receiving safe, quality, and timely surgery and anaesthesia care.”
David Cunningham, Managing Director of Kids Operating Room, added: “Over the years of collaborating with Smile Train, our greatest impact is in leveraging technology to elevate surgical services reaching the most vulnerable in under-resourced countries. We believe that having a dedicated children's operating theatre in the country, will create a brighter and healthier future for the children living here.”
AEFUTHA, which serves over 4.4 million people in Ebonyi State has a 72 pediatric bed capacity and has treated over 100 patients with clefts since 2014. Professor Robinson Chukwudi Onoh, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, expressed delight at the new theatre saying: “In addition to providing world-class standards of care using the new equipment, the new theatre is motivating teams to carry out more surgeries with a refreshed frame of mind. We anticipate having more children receiving surgeries.”
Smile Train and Kids Operating Room continue to build surgical and anaesthesia capacity to reach patients in the last mile. Since 2020, Smile Train and Kids Operating Room have renovated 31 paediatric operating rooms in 21 African countries. The Smile Train-KidsOR collaboration has also partnered with the College of Surgeons of West Africa (WACS) and the College of Surgeons of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), to provide a paediatric surgical fellowship for the training and education of 45 paediatric surgeons across Africa. The two charities have relied on innovation to meet the dual challenge of power cuts and managing greenhouse gas emissions by installing self-sufficient solar surgery systems in 77 rooms across various regions of Africa.
Kids Operating Room is a Scottish-based charity working globally to provide paediatric Operating Rooms in hospitals and safe equipment to surgeons. KidsOR also funds training of surgeons and anaesthesia providers and works with National Ministries of Health to develop sustainable healthcare services. Working across Africa and Latin America KidsOR has installed close to 50 Operating Rooms and provided over 45,000 children with access to emergency lifesaving and life-changing surgery. Visit: https://www.kidsor.org
Press Contacts: Smile Train
On Friday, January 26, 2024, the UNICEF Enugu Field Office, led by Juliet Chiluwe, Chief Field Office, undertook a crucial inspection of the Oxygen plant project situated at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. This visit marks a pivotal step toward the imminent handover of the project, with key stakeholders present to assess its functionality and readiness.
The UNICEF team, accompanied by Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, Health Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, was warmly received by Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Commissioner of Health of Ebonyi State, and Dr. Uchenna Nwaedu, Ag. Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, AEFUTHA, along with the D-CMAC, Dr Chijioke Ogeh, Coordinator Emergency Medicine and Emergency Disaster Response Dr. Collins Ugwu and their dedicated teams. Together with the Supervisory Engineer of the project, Engr Innocent Ekwuma, Head, Department of Biomedical, AEFUTHA, they meticulously inspected the facility, its equipment, and engaged in discussions regarding operational strengths and challenges.
Addressing the media, Dr. Moses Ekuma expressed that the collaborative effort between UNICEF and the Ebonyi State Government aims to mitigate oxygen-related causes of maternal and prenatal mortality rates. He affirmed the project's positive impact, stating that "the plant is functional, with the only pending task being the installation of the backup generator." Dr. Ekuma emphasized the project's significance in saving lives and meeting the oxygen demand of hospitals in the region, urging the replication of such initiatives across the state.
Dr. Uchenna Nwaedu, Ag. Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, AEFUTHA, lauded the collaborative support from the State government and UNICEF, acknowledging their commitment to enhancing healthcare. He appreciated UNICEF for translating the vision of the project into a reality.
Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, from the Enugu Field Office, elucidated that the project emerged as a response to the shortage of oxygen observed during the Covid-19 pandemic. She highlighted UNICEF's responsibility for both hardware and software installations, along with providing training for facilitators and healthcare workers. This comprehensive approach ensures the plant's long-term sustainability, aligning with existing collaborations with AEFUTHA and the State Government.
Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo emphasized the revenue potential of the plant through partnerships with other organizations. She suggested that signing an MOU with external entities could establish a steady income stream while meeting the oxygen supply needs of multiple organizations.
As the project timeline approaches its culmination, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe affirmed the ongoing preparedness for the handover of the plant, signifying a major milestone in bolstering healthcare infrastructure and addressing critical oxygen supply challenges.
(c) 2024 Corporate Communication/Kelvinerice Udeze. First published @Aefutha.gov.ng Reported by Ogbuewu Uche
On the 17th of January, National Medical Association Abakaliki Zone convened for a New Year supplication, seeking divine protection as the year 2024 commences. The prayer session took place at the Association of Resident Doctors Hall AE FUTHA II Annex, under the distinguished chairmanship of Dr. Ozibo Cletus.
Notable figures in attendance included Chief Medical Director Prof. Onoh Robinson Chukwudi. In his address, he seized the opportunity to counsel the attendees on the importance of maintaining regular medical check-ups while performing their duties; emphasizing the need to prevent sudden, avoidable fatalities.
Pastor James Adegbite, the pastor in charge of RCCG Province, Abakaliki Province 1, guided the assembly in prayers. He fervently prayed for "a new wave of peace" and an assurance of longevity, beseeching God to thwart any plans and devices of premature death throughout the entirety of 2024. Pastor Adegbite concluded by declaring the rest of the year would be full of gratitude and praise to God.
AEFUTHA 
AEFUTHA