COOUTH Woos Adazi Ani Monarch, Seeks Health Trust Fund, Support for Hospital Expansion

The CMD of COOUTH handing request proposal to traditional ruler of Adazi Ani Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr Benson Chinedu Madubuko on Thursday

By Titus Eleweke

The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Anambra State, has appealed to the traditional ruler of Adazi Ani Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr Benson Chinedu Madubuko, OFR, Igwe Chinechendo I of Adazi Ani kingdom, to support the hospital’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and enhance access to quality medical services.

The traditional Ruler of Adazi Ani Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr Benson Chinedu Madubuko, OFR in a group photograph with the management team of COOUTH on Thursday

The appeal was made when the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of COOUTH, Dr Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, led the hospital’s management team on a courtesy visit to the monarch at his palace to congratulate him on his ascension to the prestigious throne of Adazi Ani Kingdom on Thursday.

The visit also provided an opportunity for the CMD to formally inform the monarch that one of his daughters, Dr Umeakuewulu, had been appointed by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo as the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH.

Speaking during the visit, Dr Umeakuewulu who is a daughter of Adazi Ani kingdom expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for giving her the opportunity to serve in that capacity.

She said: “As the CMD, I was appointed a few months ago by Governor Charles Soludo. I am a daughter of the soil. We have heard about struggles and disagreements over traditional rulership in other communities, but in Adazi Ani, you were prevailed upon to accept the throne.
“We have also learnt about the numerous developmental projects you have undertaken in Adazi Ani, including the tarring of roads and other interventions aimed at advancing the development of our great town.
“We are here to let you know that the governor found one of your daughters worthy of occupying the position of CMD of COOUTH. He brought me all the way from Abuja, and since my appointment, he has continued to support me in repositioning the hospital.
“The governor did not appoint me and abandon me. He has been supporting me in every way to enable me to discharge my responsibilities effectively.”

According to her, Governor Soludo had constructed a trauma centre at the hospital, which she described as the only one of its kind in Southern Nigeria.

She also disclosed that the governor had approved the sum of ₦500 million for the construction and improvement of infrastructure at the hospital for the benefit of Ndi Anambra and other residents.

Dr Umeakuewulu further informed the monarch that medical doctors working at COOUTH were among the highest-paid in the country, adding that they remained committed to giving their best in providing quality healthcare services to the people of Anambra State.

She explained that upon assuming office, she had pledged to reposition the hospital in the areas of medical training, staff welfare and service delivery, with the ultimate goal of making COOUTH one of the best teaching hospitals in the country.

According to her, she remained committed to achieving that vision and would not relent in pursuing the reforms necessary to transform the hospital.

Making a direct appeal for the monarch’s partnership, the CMD explained that the management team had visited the palace to seek his support, particularly in upgrading the hospital’s medical equipment and facilities.

“We need your partnership to move the hospital forward.
“We need assistance to make Amaku the best, where patients can come in and find all the medical services and facilities they need.
“We would like you to establish the Chinechendo I of Adazi Ani Kingdom Health Trust Fund in the hospital. We want your royal institution to have a health trust fund that will support the provision of quality healthcare services.
“Our appeal is for the benefit of Ndi Anambra and the good people of Adazi Ani.
“We appeal for the establishment of the Chinechendo I of Adazi Ani Kingdom Health Trust Fund to help improve access to medical treatment at the hospital,” she said.

Dr Umeakuewulu commended the monarch for his remarkable contributions to the development of Adazi Ani Kingdom, noting that the hospital management greatly appreciated his efforts towards improving the welfare of his people.

She identified the construction of a modern paediatric complex as one of the hospital’s major infrastructural priorities, adding that COOUTH also needed a befitting dental complex to strengthen its capacity to provide specialised medical services.

The CMD stressed that government alone could not provide all the resources required to develop the hospital, noting that the support of private individuals, organisations and other well-meaning stakeholders was essential to making COOUTH one of the best teaching hospitals in the country.

She observed that many families still struggled to pay their medical bills, explaining that the proposed health trust fund would provide relief for indigent patients and enable more people to access quality healthcare without financial constraints.

She also disclosed that the hospital had received and installed several medical facilities and equipment through the support of Governor Soludo.

These included mobile oxygen equipment, a dental chair, a laboratory analyser for conducting medical tests, incubators and intensive care unit equipment.

Also speaking, the Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Ag. C-MAC) of the hospital, Dr Chima Christian Ibeneme, commended the monarch for his leadership and developmental strides in Adazi Ani Kingdom.

He described Dr Umeakuewulu’s appointment as a source of pride to the community, noting that Adazi Ani had produced the first female Chief Medical Director of COOUTH.

He explained that the CMD had brought the management team to pay homage to the traditional ruler of her hometown and solicit his support for the development of the hospital.

Dr Ibeneme expressed confidence that the monarch’s reign would be remarkable and remembered for his outstanding contributions to the development of Adazi Ani Kingdom.

He also called for a stronger partnership between the community and the hospital, stressing the need for Adazi Ani to have a visible presence in the development and activities of COOUTH.

According to him, although Governor Soludo had provided Dr Umeakuewulu with the opportunity to lead the hospital and continued to support her administration, other stakeholders, particularly the traditional institution and the people of Adazi Ani, needed to complement the governor’s efforts.

Responding, the traditional ruler of Adazi Ani Kingdom, Igwe Dr Benson Chinedu Madubuko, OFR, Igwe Chinechendo I, expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for recognising one of his subjects and considering her worthy of appointment as the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH.

The monarch described the appointment as a source of pride to the kingdom, adding that the community had always encouraged its people to prepare themselves for opportunities before they arise.

“We always encourage our people to prepare for opportunities and not begin to prepare only after an opportunity has come,” he said.

Igwe Madubuko also disclosed that the kingdom would select a strong delegation to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Soludo to express its appreciation for appointing their daughter to head COOUTH, Amaku.

“We are happy that our daughter has been appointed the CMD of COOUTH. We are praying that, by the grace of God, she will not disappoint us, the governor and the people of Anambra State,” he stated.

On the hospital’s requests, the monarch assured the management team that he would carefully study the proposals and identify areas where the kingdom could provide meaningful assistance.

“We assure you that the authorities will know that we are proud of our daughter, and we will do something for the hospital,” he added.

The traditional ruler, however, explained that it would be premature to announce specific commitments before properly examining the requests and determining what the kingdom could undertake.

He noted that, as a traditional ruler, he had responsibilities to his people and would not make promises merely to attract public commendation.

“It is not possible for us to tell you exactly what we will do now. It will be better that when Igwe speaks, his words carry authority.
“We are not saying things just to receive praise, but to speak the truth and put the records straight so that the younger generation will understand the values of responsibility and integrity.
“We will study the documents and visit the hospital. Certainly, we will do something,” he said.