COOUTH CMD AND MANAGEMENT TEAM PAY COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT GENERAL OF AWKA DEVELOPMENT UNION
Posted On: 2026-07-03 12:19:11
COOUTH CMD AND MANAGEMENT TEAM PAY COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT GENERAL OF AWKA DEVELOPMENT UNION The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, alongside members of her management team, on Friday, 19th June, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the President General of Awka Development Union (ADU), Chief Fred Chinwuba. The delegation was warmly received by President General, the Secretary General, Barr. Raphael Nzekwe and members of the union's executive council. The visit commenced with a formal introduction of the hospital delegation by the Public Relations Officer, Agbai Henrietta N., during which the profile and professional accomplishments of the CMD were highlighted. In keeping with the customs and traditions of the Awka people, the President General broke the kolanut and welcomed the CMD and her team to his residence. He expressed appreciation for the visit and congratulated Dr. Umeakuewulu on her appointment as the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH. According to him, her appointment came at a period when political stability and unity had been restored in Awka, creating an enabling environment for growth and development. He described Ndi Awka as progressive and development-oriented people and assured the CMD of the support of Awka indigenes both at home and in the diaspora. The President General further noted that Awka people have a special attachment to COOUTH, Amaku, and encouraged the CMD to feel free to approach the union whenever the need arises, assuring her that genuine requests aimed at improving the institution would receive favourable consideration. Responding, Dr. Umeakuewulu expressed gratitude to the President General and his executive members for the warm reception and goodwill extended to her administration. She explained that her mission is to reposition COOUTH into a world-class teaching hospital and proceeded to highlight some of the achievements recorded within her first one hundred days in office. These include the abolition of the manual folder system of documentation through digitalization initiatives, facelift and renovation of hospital wards, the gradual phasing out of oxygen cylinders through the installation of modern oxygen delivery systems, the introduction of private wing clinics, refurbishment of the Accident and Emergency Department, provision of internet connectivity across the institution, and the procurement of critical medical equipment and machines. She disclosed that many of these projects were already at advanced stages of completion and would soon begin to impact positively on healthcare delivery. The CMD further emphasized the need for public-private-community partnerships, noting that the responsibility of transforming COOUTH into a globally recognized healthcare institution can not be left to government alone. She called on individuals, community organizations, corporate bodies, and development partners to join hands with the hospital in achieving its vision. Dr. Umeakuewulu also expressed profound appreciation to the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, the Oluatuegwu of Anambra, for giving her the opportunity to serve the state in such an important capacity, describing the appointment as a homecoming after years of service in different parts of the country. In his remarks, the Secretary General of Awka Development Union, Barr. Raphael Nzekwe expressed confidence in the leadership of the CMD and stated that the institution was in capable hands. He noted that he had no doubt that COOUTH would soon attain world-class status under her administration. He, however, highlighted areas that require additional attention, including improvements in the hospital morgue, reception area, patient wards, staff welfare, and disciplinary mechanisms. Dr. Umeakuewulu acknowledged these observations and assured the union that appropriate measures would be taken to address the identified concerns as part of the hospital's ongoing transformation agenda. The President General concluded by thanking the CMD and her management team for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of Awka Development Union to supporting initiatives that will enhance healthcare delivery and improve the status of COOUTH. He assured the hospital management of the union's continued partnership in advancing the institution's development goals. The CMD undertook the visit in the company of members of her management team, including the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Ifeoma Njelita; Chairman Medical and Dental Council, (COOUTH Chapter) Dr Amechi Nwachukwu; Head of Administration, Mrs. Chioma Ibekie; President, Association of Resident Doctors (COOUTH Chapter) Dr Joy Okwumuo; Public Relations Officer, Agbai Henrietta N.; Head of Internal Audit, Mrs. Uju Ejiofor; and other senior staff of the hospital.
Public Relations Office
COOUTH Amaku, Awka