By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter, has honoured the Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku-Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, with a Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the medical profession and healthcare delivery.
The award ceremony, held in Nnewi, attracted distinguished personalities, including the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Stanley Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie; former Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu; former Commissioner for Health and immediate past CMD of COOUTH, Dr. Joe Akabuike; as well as eminent medical professionals, academics and other dignitaries from within and outside Anambra State.
Receiving the award alongside members of her Management Team, Dr. Umeakuewulu expressed appreciation to the leadership of the NMA Anambra State Chapter for finding her worthy of the honour.
She described the award as both a recognition of her past service and a call to greater commitment to the advancement of the medical profession and healthcare delivery.
Umeakuewulu reflected on her years of active participation in the NMA, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, where she served as Secretary and held several other responsibilities, including membership of an intervention committee constituted to resolve critical issues within the Association.
The COOUTH CMD stressed that the Nigerian Medical Association remains one united professional family, irrespective of chapter, and pledged her continued support to the Anambra State Chapter, which she described as her home branch.
She urged the Association to continue to uphold the nobility of the medical profession by promoting ethical practice, mentoring younger doctors and protecting the professional interests of its members.
The Chief Medical Director also used the occasion to highlight some of the landmark innovations being implemented at COOUTH under her administration.
Among them, she said, are the ongoing digitalisation of the hospital towards the implementation of a paperless system; the introduction of smart cards; establishment of a consultant-led private clinic; modernisation of clinical care services; strengthening of the hospital’s security architecture; and other strategic reforms aimed at repositioning the institution as a world-class teaching hospital.
She reaffirmed her commitment to providing visionary leadership that would continue to position COOUTH as a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery, medical education, research and innovation.
Umeakuewulu expressed appreciation to the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for giving her the opportunity to return home and serve Ndi Anambra as the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH.
She also acknowledged the contributions of her trainers and mentors, particularly Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, to her professional development.
The CMD further commended her immediate predecessor, Dr. Joe Akabuike, for his dedicated service to the institution and for laying a solid foundation upon which her administration is building.
