Titus Eleweke, Editor, South East
AWKA, Anambra – Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH),Amaku Awka,said it is unfortunate when anyone, particularly a professional, chooses to mislead the public by making false claims about an institution. It is even more troubling when such misinformation is directed at an institution whose leadership is making significant strides in transforming its operations and service delivery.
This became evident when a former staff member of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Charles Kenechukwu, who now resides in Canada, appeared on a social media podcast and made several allegations about the hospital.
According to him, the hospital was in a deplorable state, with pothole-ridden access roads, a dilapidated gate, foul-smelling wards, and an unequipped trauma centre that had yet to commence operations.
He further made several other negative remarks about the hospital, claiming that the Governor of Anambra State was unaware of its current condition because he had never visited the facility to assess the situation firsthand.
He also alleged that if the governor had ever visited the hospital, even for a routine medical check such as checking his blood pressure, he would have realized that the hospital lacked essential medical equipment.
Disturbed by what they described as misleading and damaging statements made by someone who should exercise professionalism and caution in commenting on a medical institution, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, and the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, promptly invited journalists to inspect the hospital and verify the claims independently.
The inspection tour was intended to establish whether there were indeed potholes on the hospital roads, whether the wards emitted offensive odours, and whether the trauma centre, though yet to be commissioned, was unequipped as alleged.
During the inspection, journalists observed that all the internal roads within the hospital had been asphalted about two years earlier and remained in good condition, with no visible potholes. They also found that the wards were clean and free from the offensive odours as alleged by Dr. Kenechukwu.
Furthermore, the journalists observed notable improvements in the hospital under the leadership of the current Chief Medical Director . Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu.
These included significant infrastructural development, the acquisition of modern medical equipment, improved staff welfare, enhanced accountability, and strengthened discipline within the institution.
The media team gathered that the hospital was undergoing remarkable transformation and steadily positioning itself as a modern healthcare institution and a centre of excellence.
Speaking during the inspection tour, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, expressed disappointment over what he described as Dr. Kenechukwu’s misleading comments about the teaching hospital.
According to the commissioner, he became aware of the comments on Thursday while he was in Abuja and immediately decided to invite journalists and the podcaster to inspect the hospital so that the public could independently verify the claims.
He explained that he did not want to delay the inspection because doing so could have created the false impression that the government hurriedly carried out renovations after the allegations were made.
According to him, he was convinced that the allegations did not reflect the true situation at the hospital and believed it was important to address them promptly in the interest of the public.
He maintained that the Anambra State Government remains deliberate and committed to transforming the teaching hospital into one of the best healthcare institutions in Nigeria, adding that the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery for the people of Anambra does not depend on public criticism or unfounded comments.
He said:
“Dr. Kenechukwu claimed that once you enter Amaku, the potholes on the road would almost give you trauma. We started our inspection from the main gate and walked through the hospital to the wards and the trauma centre. There is not a single pothole anywhere within the hospital premises. The governor reconstructed and asphalted these roads about two years ago, and they are still in excellent condition.
“He also alleged that the wards are smelling. We have gone round the wards, and there is no offensive odour anywhere. He equally made comments about the hospital gate and several other issues that are simply not consistent with the reality on the ground.
“We have made tremendous improvements in this hospital. Interestingly, Dr. Kenechukwu is my friend. I have even discussed with him the possibility of supporting us through telemedicine consultations from Canada, and he agreed in principle. We are still looking forward to that collaboration.”
The commissioner further wondered who would provide healthcare services to Nigerians if every qualified professional chose to leave the country permanently.
He also disclosed that during the inspection, the team visited the doctors’ call rooms and found them to be in good condition.
He noted that oxygen is now piped directly to the wards, eliminating the need to move oxygen cylinders from one point to another before attending to patients.
Speaking on the trauma centre, Dr. Obidike stated that although it is yet to be formally commissioned, it has already been equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, including a 64-slice CT scanner and fully equipped operating theatres for surgical and emergency procedures.
He added that the facility is designed to provide comprehensive trauma and emergency care once officially inaugurated.
According to him, the orthopedic beds are available at the hospital, and he does not know where Dr. Kenechukwu obtained his information about the facility.
“I don’t know what his interest is in trying to destroy the reputation of a purposeful, hardworking governor and the CMD. Maybe he is not busy because, when a doctor is busy, he will not have time for gossip. As a consultant, he should be reading, treating patients, and conducting research. These responsibilities are enough to keep anyone occupied. Perhaps he has nothing meaningful to do, which is why he has resorted to social media to discredit people and make claims he is not sure of,” he said.
The commissioner, however, thanked the governor for the massive investment in the hospital.
He said the state government was making deliberate investments to improve healthcare delivery, expressing confidence that within the next four to five years, the state would be producing some of the best medical professionals in the country.
He also stated that, as part of efforts to boost staff welfare, the governor had increased the salaries of health workers across the state.
According to him, Dr. Kenechukwu’s claim that health workers are poorly paid is mischievous and unfounded.
“Last year, the governor increased the salaries of health workers in the state. Today, Anambra State doctors are the highest-paid in Nigeria, earning even more than their counterparts in the Federal Government. In terms of recruitment, we have employed over 200 personnel across the primary and tertiary healthcare systems in the state,” he said.
According to him, Dr. Kenechukwu is invited to visit the hospital and tour its facilities to personally witness the level of transformation that has taken place.
Speaking on oxygen supply, he said the state had established a new oxygen plant at Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital, which is effectively serving the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH).
“However, I am not angry with him because he left many years ago and may not be aware of the developments that have taken place in the hospital over the years. What disappoints me is that, if he was in doubt or lacked adequate information, he should have asked questions. He claimed that the trauma centre is not equipped, but today you entered the facility and saw the equipment. Although it has not yet been commissioned, it has been fully equipped. You have all seen the facility for yourselves,” he added.
The commissioner said he did not want to dwell on previous administrations but noted that the condition of the healthcare system before the Soludo administration was far from satisfactory.
“Government is a continuum, but before the Soludo administration, we all knew the situation we inherited in most of our general hospitals, including COOUTH.
Many primary healthcare centres across the state did not have a single doctor, and many facilities had been abandoned. I only wish that if someone travels abroad and returns home, he should first ask questions before making public statements. He also claimed that doctors at the teaching hospital are poorly paid, whereas we actually pay them more than the Federal Government,” he said.
He explained that the inspection tour was impromptu and intended to demonstrate that the government had nothing to hide regarding the condition of the hospital.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, . Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu said she invited journalists to witness firsthand the transformation taking place at COOUTH, Amaku
According to her:”The commissioner called me this morning regarding the false information trending on social media about the hospital. He informed me that a podcaster, Dan Baba, was coming, and I decided to invite members of the media so they could witness the true situation themselves. I did not want it to appear as though we had secretly invited him to say good things about us. We decided to make everything open and transparent so everyone could come and see. Since I assumed office, I have always worked openly with the media.”
“For the past two hours, we have been moving around the hospital. We started from the main gate. The person who spoke about Amaku claimed that there were huge potholes on the access road and that vehicles would be damaged while entering the hospital. You have all seen the road yourselves. If there are any potholes within the hospital premises, then perhaps they have suddenly become invisible today.”
She said the hospital management maintains a clean environment by cutting the grass every two weeks to ensure patients enjoy a healthy environment while also reducing mosquito infestation through regular fumigation.
“You have also seen the ongoing renovation at the emergency ward, including the installation of piped oxygen. Anyone who says Amaku smells is simply not telling the truth.
“This visit was impromptu. I was informed only this morning. You have all toured the wards. Did any of you notice any offensive smell?
“We brought you here so you could see for yourselves that, apart from the ongoing improvements, we are transforming Amaku into an institution of excellence,” she added.
According to the CMD, the hospital has introduced a smart card system to digitise its operations.
She said Wi-Fi is available throughout the hospital, and anyone given the password can access the internet.
She also disclosed that the hospital had strengthened accountability by engaging an independent company, Nuclear Association, to handle revenue collection, while hospital staff now only supervise the process.
“When I assumed office, I saw POS machines everywhere and wondered why they were scattered all over the hospital. I also noticed that patients were carrying cash to make payments, and electronic transfers were hardly encouraged. I therefore engaged professionals to collect payments on behalf of the hospital. As soon as payments are made, the money goes directly into the hospital’s account.
“Since Monday, many people have been trooping into the hospital for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer screenings as part of activities marking the birthdays of our governor and his wife.”
She urged journalists to interact with patients and staff in various wards to verify the innovations being introduced across the hospital.
She stated that since assuming office, she had procured several medical equipment, adding that only last week Governor Charles Soludo approved the purchase of medical equipment worth N500 million for the hospital.
The CMD also revealed that Governor Soludo had approved the accreditation of additional programmes at the hospital following discussions she held with him after assuming office.
According to her, it is painful that while the governor is working tirelessly to improve healthcare, some individuals continue to spread false information on social media.
“Honestly, I do not know why he did what he did. I learnt he was once a member of staff here and a medical doctor. I was told today that he worked here before relocating abroad.
“Since I came on board, I have introduced many reforms to move the hospital forward. I told both staff and management that we must make this institution a centre of excellence and integrity. To be honest,there were practices I met on the ground that had to stop.
“Since I assumed office, we have strengthened many systems. We have stopped several sharp practices within the hospital. Indiscipline was at a very high level, and we are working hard to eliminate it,” she added.
Reacting to whether the hospital would take legal action against him, she said there was no need to be distracted.
“He actually spoke against the governor. When you are busy working, you simply ignore distractions,” she said.
She also expressed shock that a medical doctor could make such allegations.
According to her, if he is truly practising medicine in Canada, he should not have the time to engage in spreading falsehoods on social media.
“I know that doctors are extremely busy. Many doctors struggle to find time even for themselves. Apart from attending to patients, there is research to conduct and clinical trials to pursue.
“Two weeks ago, I was in the United States, where I met with the Association of Nigerian Physicians. They contacted me again two days ago to discuss possible collaboration with the hospital.
“That is what a doctor living abroad should be discussing,how to collaborate and improve healthcare back home,not spreading falsehoods to destroy hardworking people. He should be talking about partnerships, philanthropy and bringing home the knowledge and experience he has gained overseas, if he is truly practising medicine,” she stated.
She maintained that for a doctor practising abroad to devote significant time to spreading falsehoods about a healthcare institution on social media raises more questions than answers.
According to her, all the allegations made against the hospital are false and completely unfounded.
“Honestly, I must admit that I am disturbed that a medical doctor could publicly make statements that are completely false,” she said.
She thanked Governor Charles Soludo for the trauma centre, describing it as a remarkable achievement.
According to her, establishing a standard trauma centre is not an easy undertaking because many requirements must be met before such a facility can become operational. She added that the trauma centre is not only intended to serve Anambra State but also patients from across the South-East and South-South regions.
Some of the patients admitted that they are now receiving better healthcare services in a more conducive environment than they did in the past.
Mrs. Margaret Udeozo, who spoke with our correspondent, said there have been significant improvements at COOUTH/Amaku Teaching Hospital. According to her, in the past, accessing quality healthcare at the facility often depended on knowing someone within the system.
She explained that, before the recent improvements, she would not have considered visiting Amaku Teaching Hospital for cervical cancer screening because of the poor perception of the hospital’s services.
However, the noticeable changes in service delivery and the hospital environment encouraged her to take advantage of the screening exercise.
Another patient, Chief Patrick Ojukwu, said the hospital is gradually regaining its lost glory.
According to him, the teaching hospital was previously in a deplorable state and had little to inspire public confidence.
“I am grateful for the changes I am witnessing in the hospital today. The services are now very efficient, and the system is working effectively,” he said.
Chief Ojukwu added that the remarkable improvements at the hospital may have contributed to the overwhelming turnout for the cancer screening programme.
He noted that, in the past, only a few people would have attended such an exercise because many lacked confidence in the quality of services provided by the hospital.
However, he believes the renewed public trust resulting from the ongoing improvements has encouraged more people to seek healthcare services at the facility.
