By Grace Simeon, Abakaliki
The Staff Welfare Association of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) has staged a counter-protest to refute allegations made against the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Uzoma Agwu, by the Uburu Traditional Council.
The association, comprising over 1,000 staff members, expressed confidence in Prof. Agwu’s leadership and condemned the allegations as baseless and unwarranted.
The traditional council, led by HRH Eze Lazarus Umahi, had accused Prof. Agwu of incompetence, negligence, and systemic abuse, among other allegations.
However, the Staff Welfare Association argued that the hospital operates under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, adhering to established regulations and laws.
The association emphasized Prof. Agwu’s achievements, including prioritizing staff welfare, demonstrating readiness for clinical training, and providing outreach programs and free medical services to the local community.
They also challenged the traditional council to provide evidence supporting their allegations.
Furthermore, the association expressed concern about the impact of the protest on hospital operations and patient care, highlighting the disruption of essential healthcare services and the blockade of the hospital entrance.
They however pass vote of confidence to their CMD and urged the federal and state governments, as well as stakeholders, to assist the hospital in addressing its challenges, particularly the need for a steady power supply.
“The DUFUTH Staff Welfare Association, representing all staff engaged at the hospital, is shocked and dismayed by the unwarranted protests held on Monday, 24th March 2025 and the baseless allegations being circulated by the demonstrators and therefore wishes to state as follows:
“That the 3-page document presented by the organizers is a pre-conceived can of falsehood to cast aspersion on our hardworking CMD who has spent days and nights within the hospital to nurture the institution from cradle since 2022.
“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, leveled 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.
“We wish to tell the world that since the inception of DUFUTH, the hospital has been guided by regulations, conventions, extant rules and approved laws guiding the conduct of federal teaching hospitals, under the tutelage of our parent Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, while also consistently demonstrating readiness for clinical training of DUFUHS students with various batches of 300 level students already undergoing/completed training.
“That the demonstrators and their lackeys overreached themselves and showed lack of exposure and enlightenment by unilatrarily 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 channeling petitions and grievances.
“That 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. Furthermore, 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.
“That 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.
“That we strongly oppose the calls for the removal of the incumbent Chief Medical Director of DUFUTH, Professor Uzoma Agwu as the allegations against her is unsubstantiated and lacks merit. We also believe that no outsider can handle or protect DUFUTH like a daughter of Uburu land, who is a key stakeholder in the project and also an accomplished medical professional of note.
“That we call attention of the federal government, state government and stakeholders of Uburu community to intermittent power outages that is crumbling our two institutions, and wish to state that the hospital’s 550KVA generator, which is the primary source of power consumes approximately 100 litres of diesel per hour, which translates to substantial financial burden on the hospital, particularly given our limited budget. We therefore demand a steady power from EEDC supply as the current arrangement is not sustainable.
“That the hospital leadership should be commended for prioritization of 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 ON OUR CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PROFESSOR UZOMA AGWU, a woman of proven track records in hospital management, integrity and genuine commitment to public service”.
