The Old Ohaozara Medical and Dental Consultants Forum, comprising local medical and dental professionals, has urged the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently intervene in the escalating conflict between the Vice Chancellor of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Prof. Jesse Uneke, and the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Prof. Mrs Uzoma Agwu, both located in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
The dispute centres on which federal institution should oversee the clinical service departments, centres, and units. The Vice Chancellor asserts that he should maintain a supervisory role over the teaching hospital. However, Ohaozara’s medical and dental professionals have labelled this stance as “an aberration of the highest order,” arguing that globally, it is standard practice for teaching hospitals to manage such clinical departments, including Cancer, Renal, and Eye Centres.
“DUFUTH should not be an exception,” the group asserted.
In a statement released over the weekend, the President of the group, Dr. Kenneth J. Okoro, and the Secretary, Dr. McSteve C. Okeke, emphasised that in Nigeria, universities are overseen by the Ministry of Education, while teaching hospitals fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health.
They expressed concern that a cooperative relationship essential for medical education, which thrives in other Nigerian institutions, is notably absent between DUFUHS and DUFUTH.
The group elaborated that both institutions are autonomous, governed by a Governing Council and a Board of Management, respectively, with neither exerting supervisory authority over the other. Their service mandates are distinct yet complementary.
The ongoing crisis has led to protests by local residents, resulting in the relocation of interviews for prospective staff to Abakaliki. Meanwhile, staff at the teaching hospital are feeling demoralised and are exploring alternative employment options.
“We note that at a time when Nigeria’s health sector is facing an unprecedented exodus of healthcare professionals, demoralising those who have chosen to serve their country is counterproductive. As natives of Old Ohaozara Division and stakeholders in DUFUTH, we are concerned about the potential adverse effects of the unrest at the hospital on service delivery, medical education, and research, especially considering the noble vision behind its establishment, which aims to curb medical tourism for Nigeria’s benefit.
“The unique status of DUFUTH, poised to become a centre of excellence with state-of-the-art facilities situated conveniently between two prominent Teaching Hospitals, necessitates collective support from the community, government, and all stakeholders to realise this vision.
“We appreciate the guidance of the founder of DUFUTH, Sen. David Umahi, and the peace-oriented Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who have urged all parties to collaborate for the growth and development of the hospital in a peaceful environment.
“For an urgent resolution of the issues and improved service delivery at DUFUTH, we call for the immediate intervention of the supervising federal ministries of education and health to clearly define the service mandates of the two institutions and to facilitate a memorandum of understanding between the University and the Teaching Hospital.
“We also suggest the donation of shuttle buses to provide designated routes that transport patients to and from DUFUTH at little or no cost, addressing the lack of public transport services in the area. This initiative would significantly boost patient patronage, given the hospital’s location,” the group proposed.
The Ohaozara Dental and Medical Consultants have urged DUFUTH management to enhance ongoing medical outreach efforts to care for patients and raise public awareness of the available services at the exceptional hospital. Additionally, they recommend that management ensure staff perform their duties effectively in a supportive working environment.
They also called on all stakeholders to heed the recommendations of leaders to foster the growth and successful development of the hospital in a peaceful and conducive environment.
