Umahi Teaching Hospital condemns Protest Against CMD By Ebonyi Host community
The staff and management of David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu Ohaozara, Ebonyi State, has tackled the host community over protest against Uzoma Agwu, the Chief Medical Director on Monday.
The workers staged a solidarity march at the hospital on Tuesday, expressing shock and dismay over the protest and allegations circulated by the demonstrators against the hospital CMD.
In a Communiqué signed by Ogechi Precious John and Ogbuewu Sarah, Chairman and Secretary of DUFUTH staff welfare respectively, the Hospital workers noted that the Community’s actions had been negatively impacting patients in the Hospital.
They denied and condemned the allegations made against the Chief Medical Director and the call for her sack from office, urging the Host Community to reconsider their approach towards both the Hospital and its CMD.
“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.
“That the demonstrators and their lackeys overreached themselves and showed a lack of exposure and enlightenment by unilaterally ordering a sitting CMD appointed by the Presidency to immediately vacate her office and evacuate all her belongings from the hospital, without recourse to proper channels of channelling petitions and grievances.
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“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. The blockade not only disrupted essential healthcare services but also prevented patients with emergency cases from accessing the hospital. 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.
“We are deeply concerned by the protesters’ demand to cancel the forthcoming recruitment exercise at DUFUTH, particularly as the local community stands to benefit significantly from the employment. Furthermore, the hospital is in dire need of additional staff to bolster its workforce, and cancelling the recruitment exercise would only exacerbate the existing staffing shortages.
“We strongly oppose the calls for the removal of the incumbent Chief Medical Director of DUFUTH, Professor Uzoma Agwu, as the allegations against her are unsubstantiated and lack merit”, the Communiqué read
“The hospital leadership should be commended for prioritising 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 Management and Staff of the Hospital noted.
SOURCE: BusinessDay
