Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
The Staff of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital Uburu Ohaozara (DUFUTH) in Ebonyi State Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Uzoma Egwu.
The staff of the Institution came out en mass chanting a solidarity song for the CMD, condemning the frivolous allegations against her.
The workers explained that the allegations levelled against the CMD, including removal of beds, foams, medications and generators from the teaching hospital, corruption and abuse of office as baseless, unfounded and mischievous.
In a communique signed by Ogechi Precious John chairman, Ogbuewu Sarah secretary, and Jideofor Ibekwe, the workers emphasized that since the inception of DUFUTH, the hospital has been guided by regulations of the mother ministry and federal civil service commission.
The ten-point communique read parts, “We frown at the allegations of criminal repurposing of facilities, and the ridiculous claims of removal of beds, foams, medications and generators from the teaching hospital, as well as of corruption and abuse of office, levelled against the CMD”.
“There is no evidence to support this claim, either in picture, print or video, and we challenge the accusers to prove us wrong with counter-evidence”.
“We strongly condemn the blockade mounted by the protesters on Monday, 24th March 2024, which demonstrated an alarming lack of empathy and concern for patients seeking medical attention”.
“That the 3-page document presented by the organizers is a pre-conceived can of falsehood to cast aspersion on our hardworking CMD who has spent days and nights within the hospital to nurture the institution from cradle since 2022”.
“We wish to tell the world that since the inception of DUFUTH, the hospital has been guided by regulations, conventions, extant rules and approved laws guiding the conduct of federal teaching hospitals, under the tutelage of our parent Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, while also consistently demonstrating readiness for clinical training of DUFUHS students with various batches of 300 level students already undergoing/completed training”.
The association expressed dismay that the illegal blockade not only disrupted essential healthcare services but also prevented patients with emergency cases from accessing the hospital.
“Sadly, relatives of patients who went out to source for personal effects were also denied access back into the hospital upon their return, without regard to the care and support to their loved ones”.
“The hospital leadership should be commended for prioritization of the community’s healthcare needs through various outreach programmes, free medical care, free surgeries, screening and drugs to locals as well as the fiscal discipline in the hospital’s finances and operations”, the Association said.
They further call on the federal government to disregard the call for the removal of the CMD, Agwu, as the allegations against her were unsubstantiated and lacking in merit.
The hospital workers further call for adequate power supply to the hospital by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.
“We call the attention of the federal government, state government and stakeholders of the Uburu community to intermittent power outages that are crumbling our two institutions and wish to state that the hospital’s 550KVA generator, which is the primary source of power consumes approximately 100 litres of diesel per hour, which translates to substantial financial burden on the hospital, particularly given our limited budget. We, therefore, demand steady power from EEDC supply as the current arrangement is not sustainable.
“The hospital leadership should be commended for prioritization of the community’s healthcare needs through various outreach programmes, free medical care, free surgeries, screening and drugs to locals, as well as the fiscal discipline in the hospital’s finances and operations.
“That the entire staff of DUFUTH, in one voice, maintains a strong vote of confidence in our Chief Medical Director, Professor Uzoma Agwu. The workers said.