The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku-Awka, Dr Mrs Maureen Umeakuewulu has reaffirmed her determination to move the institution to global standard and centre of medical excellence capable of giving special care to all categories of patients and entertaining referral services.
She identified dearth of infrastructure, service delivery, welfare, promotions, among others as difficulties militating against her goals above.
Dr Umeakuewulu stated in Awka on Wednesday while addressing members of the House of Assembly Committee on Health who visited her office on oversight function.
She said that upon assumption of office, she designed four categories of needs to tackle pressing challenges in the hospital.
“After various meetings I had with heads of departments and having moved round the hospital, we divided all our problems into four categories of needs: Emergency and urgent plan, Immediate & Short term plan, Medium term plan and Long term plan.
“While the emergency needs are already 90% concluded, the Emergency Unit of the hospital is undergoing reconstruction with the piping and recticulation of oxygen to meet global standard.
“Before my assumption of office, I had a vision that my service will stand on a Tripod, namely service delivery, research and training and have been working tirelessly to achieve them in line with the status of the institution as a teaching hospital.
“COOUTH should be specialty-situated to achieve maximum care. When you interact with internationally recognised organisation, you bring them down for trials and research. We must train our doctors and nurses to equip them with modern trends in medical practice,” she affirmed.
Having come from a digital environment at National Hospital Abuja operational since 15 years ago, the CMD said she brought in tech experts who installed free internet services in every aspect of the teaching hospital.
“As we speak now, COOUTH is 98% digitised. We have been able to register almost all our patients on admission with computerised records.
“We have an imported Smart Card that captures patients’ health record, converts manual folder into digital format and operates in a wallet system to make payments. Thus, you can deposit money for yourself, loved ones and aged parents to access medicare here in COOUTH. Again, with the Smart Card, your medical records can be accessed abroad.”
Dr Umeakuewulu further revealed that efforts are in top gear to build completely consultant-led Private Wing Clinic for elites and very important personalities (VIPs) so that patients access care under one roof, housing pharmacy, laboratory and medical records.
“We need to employ more staff and offer them a good pensionable welfare package as well as promotion.
“There is need to build two high-rising structures, upgrade old ones in the area and build dialysis centre to treat kidney cases in the hospital.”
She appreciated the House Committee on Health for coming on the oversight function and the 8th Anambra Assembly for the synergy existing between the executive and legislature for the smooth operation of the state.
While thanking the Governor for giving her the opportunity to serve Ndi Anambra in the state Teaching Hospital, Dr Umeakuewulu thanked the management team of COOUTH for keeping the hospital moving.
Responding, the Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Health and member representing Aguata 2 Constituency, Hon Tony Mobike commended the CMD for her onerous efforts in positioning the state teaching hospital to global standard.
He asked her to send an official letter to the House Committee, itemising all areas of need so as to address them properly.
Hon Mobike maintained that the House is committed to building a synergy between the House of Assembly and institutions of Government for the overall development of the state.
Other lawmakers like Hon Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata 1), Hon Golden Iloh (Ihiala 2) and Hon Emma Nwafor (Orumba South) who made their contributions, stressed the need to engage consultants to achieve desired healthcare results in the state teaching hospital.###
