Medical and commercial activities at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, DUFUTH, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was, on Monday, disrupted following a protest by the host community against the management of the hospital.
The protest was led by the four traditional rulers in Uburu kingdom,, namely; Godwin Akpandu Okoro, Christopher Ngwu Abbah, Eze Umezurike and Lazarus Umahi.
The protesters who blocked the entrance gate to the hospital for hours, demanded accountability and reform in the hospital.
They alleged gross mismanagement, systemic abuse, leadership failures and blatant disregard for the host community against the management of the university.
“As a people, we are firsthand witnesses of the alarming deterioration of the infrastructure and healthcare delivery at the hospital, a hospital primed to deliver the best healthcare in Africa.
“We are angry at the erosion of public trust as patients are constantly being referred to Abakaliki and the calculated destruction of our community's treasured healthcare institution. As a people, we can no longer remain silent while our people suffer due to the incompetence, negligence, and malicious actions of those entrusted with the care of these great National assets.
“Our grievances are as follows against the CMD and the Director of Administration, that the Leadership of the CMD and the Director of Administration has led to the complete sabotage of the vision and mission of setting up the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital.
“That the leadership of the hospital led by the CMD and the Director of Administration criminally repurposed facilities at the hospital for some other personal businesses thereby deliberately affecting healthcare services delivery.
“Corruption and abuse of office: Conversion of key centers, equipped with life-saving technology as living quarters for Youth Corps members and security operatives, and stripped of its essential equipment.
“Denial of Clinical Students of David Umahi Federal University of Health Science access for their clinical enrollment and placement at the Teaching Hospital.
Corrupt employment and job racketeering.
” Removal of beds, foams, medications and generators from the Teaching Hospital and their use at other hospitals. The CMD’s deliberate and protracted rift with the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences Uburu (DUFUHS) has crippled collaboration and hindered progress even after the community intervention through a committee made up of Traditional Leadership and stakeholders from Ohaozara. The refusal by the Teaching Hospital under their Leadership to cooperate is a clear act of sabotage against the institution.
“Operational and Administrative Catastrophe where a beautiful edifice handed over to her has been turned to a disgrace, with dirty conveniences, exposed electrical hazards, cracked walls, leaking roofs, and fallen tiles posing a direct threat to patient safety. The proliferation of makeshift shops within the hospital complex reflects a complete lack of order and professionalism.
“Excessive high billing system has been implemented, effectively denying access to healthcare for the most vulnerable members of our community. Bad personnel management at the hospital as staff no longer come to work.
“Their refusal to live and work in Uburu.
The CMD’s repeated disregard for agreement and directives related to the joint MOU between DUFUHS and DUFUTH demonstrates a complete lack of integrity and respect to the Host community and her leadership”, he said.
Reacting to the protest, the hospital described it as unwarranted.
The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Agwu Nwogo refuted all the claims in a statement following the protest.
He said the accusations against the management of the health Institution were not only baseless but also a gross misrepresentation of the facts.
“Having had the privilege of witnessing the CMD's tireless efforts and remarkable achievements, we are compelled to set the record straight.
“Professor Uzoma Agwu inherited a hospital that was, in essence, a mere shell of its potential. With no clinical activities taking place, the hospital was a far cry from the vibrant healthcare institution it is today.
“Under her visionary leadership, the hospital has undergone a transformation of monumental proportions. From a mere handful of staff, the hospital now boasts over 700 regular staff members, supplemented by regular and ad-hoc consultants.
“The hospital's physical infrastructure has also undergone significant improvements under the CMD's watch. From a 5-storey building complex where administrative and clinical operations were confined to the ground floor, the hospital now boasts fully functional departments across all floors. The CMD has also addressed the post-construction defects, including plumbing, sewage, and water reticulation issues that plagued the hospital. The fact that 80% of water outlets were blocked and unusable upon her assumption of office is a stark reminder of the challenges she faced.
“Despite these daunting challenges, the CMD remained focused on delivering quality healthcare services to the community. The hospital has secured accreditation from reputable clinical professional associations, including the Dental and Medical Council of Nigeria, the Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, and the Pharmacy Council.
“The hospital's clinical operations have also recorded significant milestones under the CMD's leadership. From January 2023 to December 2024, the hospital successfully handled complex surgeries, including plastic surgery and reconstruction, burr hole surgery, cataract/pterygium surgeries, spinal cord transection surgeries, total hip replacement surgery, knee arthroplasty, Open Reduction and Internal fixation, amputation surgeries, cleft lips and palate surgeries, and many more. These achievements demonstrate the hospital's growing capacity to provide specialized medical services to the community.
“Furthermore, the CMD has prioritized community outreach and sensitization programmes, organizing several free medical outreaches and sensitization programmes within and outside the hospital, with an undiverted focus on Uburu locals.
“These programmes have provided free screening, drugs, and treatments to numerous beneficiaries. The hospital has also undertaken free surgeries for children aged 1-6, alleviating the financial burden on their parents as well as free dialysis for kidney patients which was widely publicized in the media”, he said.
