About This Hospital
- Category
- State Government-owned Specialist (Secondary Referral) Hospital
- Accreditation
- Licensed by the Nigeria Ministry of Health and registered as a Secondary Health Care Centre. Established in 1960 and formerly governed under the Imo State Specialist Hospital Law No. 3 of 2018. In March 2026 the Imo State House of Assembly passed a new law repealing the 2018 Act and placing the hospital under a Hospital Management Corporation framework as part of a restructuring toward a public-private partnership model (referenced in state coverage as the 'Heartland Specialist Hospital' framework); the new law requires the Chief Medical Director to be a consultant registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for at least 12 years.
- Affiliation
- Owned by the Imo State Government. Under a 2026 multi-partner agreement among the Imo State Government, a hospital management corporation, and Prostate Clinic Limited, the hospital hosts a newly established Robotic Surgery Centre / Prostate Clinic, with Professor Kingsley Ekwueme named as the specialist lead for robotic and urologic surgery. The hospital is separately known for a neurosurgery (brain and spine) unit built up from 2021.
Departments12 depts
Specialty Services
Specialized Equipment
Leadership & Management
Head of Hospital
Dr. Kaunda Ibewuike
Consultant neurosurgeon (spine and brain surgery). Confirmed as Chief Medical Director of the Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma in a December 2021 interview and photographed at the hospital under an office plaque identifying him as CMD. Under his tenure the hospital commissioned an Intensive Care Unit (December 2021) and began performing complex spine surgeries using an imported CR X-ray (fluoroscopy) system. Note: a March 2026 state law restructured the hospital's governance under a new Hospital Management Corporation framework, so current CMD status as of 2026 could not be independently reconfirmed from available public sources.
Managed By
Imo State Government / Hospital Management Corporation
Following the March 2026 repeal of the Imo State Specialist Hospital Law No. 3 of 2018, the hospital is governed under a Hospital Management Corporation law that establishes a governing board and enables structured public-private partnerships, including the 2026 agreement bringing a Robotic Surgery Centre (Prostate Clinic) to the facility.
Booking at This Hospital
Online Booking
Walk-in
Walk-in Policy
Walk-in accepted at Outpatient and Accident and Emergency departments; referrals accepted from primary and secondary facilities across Imo State
Emergency Wait
24:00:00
Non-Emergency Wait
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4 PM
How to book
Appointments at ISSH, Umuguma are arranged directly with the hospital using the options above. Afrimedlink lists this facility for public information and does not manage its bookings.
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Hospital Policies
Privacy & Confidentiality
All patient information is treated with confidentiality in accordance with MDCN guidelines and applicable Nigerian health laws.
Discharge Policy
Discharge is authorised by the attending consultant or medical officer.
Hours & Holidays
General Outpatient: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4 PM. Emergency and ICU operate 24 hours, 7 days a week.
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