Group protests alleged racketeering, poor service at NAUTH

Maduako Igbokwe l Tuesday, May 18, 2021

 

 

ONITSHA, Nigeria – A Civil Society group under the aegis of Advocates For Good Governance on Monday protested alleged poor service delivery at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra. The group who gathered at the entrance of the hospital gate with varying placards also made allegations of cases of job racketeering and financial in propriety by the management.

 In a letter entitled “Abuse Of Due Process, Racketeering, Extortion, Graft And Celebration Of Corruption At Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi”, the group faulted  the selection process leading to the appointment of the Chief Medical Director.

According to the group which claimed anonymity, we, the patients , patients’ relations, staff of NAUTH and residents of Anambra decried poor service rendered in the hospital.

“There is lack of drugs in the hospital , most painful include absence of drugs in emergency and theatre , leading to patients being frequently asked to go outside the hospital to procure drugs.

“Surgical operations are being frequently postponed due to lack of materials in the theatre, this frequently leads to patients death in emergency situations and wounds unattended to for days due to lack of materials for dressing.

“As members of Advocates for Good Governance and interested parties, we were quite concerned and alarmed to discover that Jobs are racketeered and sold, this leads to recruitment of unqualified personnel.

“We have decided to carry out a peaceful protest to sensitize the public on what is happening in NAUTH, the only Federal medical institution in Anambra and demand the cancellation of the whole CMD selection process and new one started.

“Dissolution of the present hospital management board because they can never oversee a free , fair and transparent process , they are already compromised and are part of the on-going corruption

“Dr Ugboaja should step aside as Acting CMD and participate with others on a level playing ground,” they stated. Efforts made to reach the Ag. CMD proved abortive as at the time of filling this report.