The Anambra State Government has dismissed allegations made in a viral podcast concerning the condition of facilities at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), AMAKU, Awka, describing the claims as misleading and inconsistent with the hospital’s current state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, stated this after leading the podcast host, Yan Baba, alongside journalists, on an inspection tour of the teaching hospital to verify the allegations firsthand.
Dr. Obidike explained that after watching the podcast, he immediately invited the broadcaster for an open inspection, insisting that facts should be established through transparency rather than speculation on social media.
According to him, the inspection was deliberately conducted in the presence of journalists to allow members of the public to independently assess the hospital’s facilities.
The team toured the hospital from the main entrance through the Emergency Unit, Trauma Centre, wards, operating theatres, oxygen plant, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and diagnostic departments.
He dismissed claims that the hospital entrance was filled with large potholes, that the environment was dirty, and that critical facilities were non-functional.
“Everyone who joined the tour has now seen that those claims do not reflect the present reality at AMAKU,” the Commissioner said.
Dr. Obidike noted that the inspection confirmed the availability of modern medical equipment, including multiple ECG machines, a 64-slice CT scanner, a piped oxygen system, modern operating theatres, and other critical medical facilities.
He further disclosed that Governor Chukwuma Soludo recently approved the procurement of medical equipment worth over ₦500 million for the hospital, adding that the administration continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure, recruit health workers, and strengthen telemedicine services across the state.
The Commissioner also revealed that Anambra has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading performers in primary healthcare, winning the National Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge Fund Award twice within the last three years and attracting about 1.6 million US dollars in performance-based grants.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free antenatal care and delivery services, improved welfare for healthcare workers, and the establishment of the University of Medical Sciences and Technology to address the shortage of medical professionals.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chief Medical Director of AMAKU, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, said the visit was organised to enable the public verify the actual condition of the hospital instead of relying on reports circulating online.
She stated that the hospital has maintained a clean and safe environment through routine sanitation, grass clearing, and fumigation despite the rainy season, noting that the impromptu nature of the visit showed that no special preparations were made before the arrival of the media and the podcast host.
Dr. Umeakuewulu further disclosed that the hospital is undergoing significant transformation through the digitisation of patients’ records using barcode technology, the provision of Wi-Fi across the facility, and the introduction of an electronic payment system managed by an independent service provider, which has eliminated cash handling and enhanced transparency in revenue collection.
She added that the hospital has continued to witness increased patronage, particularly during the ongoing free cervical, breast, and prostate cancer screening programme organised to commemorate the birthdays of Governor Soludo and the First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo.
According to her, the management remains committed to strengthening accountability, improving service delivery, and providing quality healthcare to residents of the state.
Responding to the controversy, the doctor whose comments featured in the podcast clarified in a message to the Commissioner that his interview was largely based on his experiences while working at AMAKU and the gaps that existed at the time.
He acknowledged that Governor Soludo had addressed several of those challenges through the renovation of the hospital following his June 2023 visit, improved remuneration for healthcare workers, the establishment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of hazard allowances, and the development of the Trauma Centre.
He explained that the interview was intended as a chronological account of the hospital’s journey, highlighting both previous deficiencies and subsequent government interventions.
The doctor noted that some portions of the interview where he commended the Soludo administration were not emphasised in the excerpts that circulated online.
He also clarified that his reference to the absence of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) related to the hospital’s Emergency Room and not the Trauma Centre, adding that he had since been informed that the Trauma Centre had been equipped but was yet to be commissioned for public use.
He commended the ongoing improvements under the current Chief Medical Director, stating that it would be unfair to assess her administration after less than one year in office.
Responding to questions on the podcast, Dr. Obidike welcomed the clarifications but maintained that the hospital should be judged by its present condition and verifiable facts.
He reiterated that the government would remain focused on improving healthcare delivery rather than engaging in distractions, while encouraging Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora to support the state’s health sector through research, training, telemedicine, and other collaborations.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Soludo administration’s commitment to transforming AMAKU into a centre of excellence and ensuring quality, affordable healthcare for all residents of Anambra State.
