The launch event drew a wide range of stakeholders from government and the healthcare sector, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening diagnostic capacity and enhancing patient outcomes through modern technology.
Speaking at the event, the Medical Director of LabRad Diagnostics, Dr. Chinekwu Anyanwu, described the unveiling as a milestone in the organisation’s mission to promote accurate and timely diagnosis. She explained that the upgraded facility now offers a comprehensive suite of imaging services, including the newly installed 160-slice CT scanner, a 1.5 Tesla MRI system, ultrasound, digital X-ray, and mammography.
According to her, bringing these services under one roof is expected to streamline diagnostic processes, improve efficiency, and support faster clinical decision-making. She highlighted the capabilities of the CT scanner, noting its ability to deliver high-speed, high-resolution imaging suitable for cardiac studies, angiography, trauma evaluation, cancer detection, and full-body scans.
Dr. Anyanwu further emphasized the scanner’s advanced safety features, particularly its significantly reduced radiation exposure. Compared to conventional 16-slice and 32-slice CT machines, the new system lowers radiation risks by over 90 percent, addressing longstanding concerns about patient safety in repeated imaging procedures.
Beyond routine imaging, the facility also introduces specialised diagnostic packages tailored to oncology, interventional imaging, respiratory conditions, and vascular diseases. Additional services such as cardiac MRI, prostate imaging, and breast MRI are designed to aid early detection and deliver more precise diagnoses across a range of medical conditions.
Representing the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Principal Secretary, Mr. John Njoku, noted that the upgraded centre would significantly reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced diagnostic tests. He stressed that improved local access would contribute to earlier detection of diseases, better treatment outcomes, and increased survival rates.
He added that the initiative aligns with the broader healthcare agenda of Governor Hope Uzodimma, which prioritizes partnerships with private sector players to expand access to quality healthcare services across the state.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Emmanuel Omachonu, representing Crown Healthcare Nigeria, described the relationship with LabRad Diagnostics as a longstanding collaboration. He recalled that the partnership previously led to the installation of the first 1.5 Tesla MRI system in Southeast Nigeria in 2024, marking an earlier milestone in the region’s diagnostic advancement.
He noted that the newly introduced 160-slice CT scanner is the first of its kind in the Southeast and possibly Nigeria, reinforcing a shared vision to bridge gaps in access to cutting-edge medical technology.
The event was attended by key figures in the medical community, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Imo State chapter, Dr. Bartholomew Echeta; the President of the Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Dr. Amarachi Arunsi; and Dr. Iwuchukwu Patrick of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, who represented the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ewelike Uchenna.
With the unveiling of this advanced diagnostic hub, stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative will not only strengthen healthcare delivery in Imo State but also position the region as an emerging centre for high-quality medical diagnostics in Nigeria.