By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM, Awka
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter has conferred a prestigious Meritorious Service Award on the Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku-Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu in recognition of her immense contributions to medical profession.
The event which tookplace in Nnewi, attracted several distinguished personalities, including the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Stanley Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie; former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu; former Commissioner for Health and immediate past CMD COOUTH, Dr. Joe Akabuike; among other eminent medical professionals, academics, and dignitaries from within and outside Anambra State.
Receiving the award in company of her Management Team, Dr. Umeakuewulu thanked the leadership of the NMA Anambra State Chapter for finding her worthy of the honour, describing it as both a recognition of past service and a call to greater commitment in advancing the medical profession and healthcare delivery.
She reflected on her years of active participation in the Nigerian Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, where she served as Secretary and undertook several other responsibilities, including membership of an intervention committee constituted to resolve critical issues within the Association.
The CMD emphasized that the Nigerian Medical Association remains one united professional family irrespective of chapter and pledged her unwavering support to the Anambra State Chapter, describing it as her home branch.
She called on the Association to continue upholding the nobility of the medical profession by promoting ethical practice, mentoring younger doctors, and protecting their professional interests.
The Chief Medical Director used the opportunity to unveil some of the landmark innovations currently transforming COOUTH under her administration.
These include the ongoing implementation of a paperless hospital through digitalization, the introduction of smart cards, the establishment of a consultant-led private clinic, modernization of clinical care services, improved hospital 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 will continue to elevate COOUTH as a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery, medical education, research, and innovation.
Umeakuewulu thanked Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for giving her the opportunity to return home and serve Ndi Anambra as the CMD COOUTH.
While appreciating her trainers and mentors, including Prof.Joseph Ikechebelu, for their invaluable contributions to her professional development, Umeakuewulu equally thanked her immediate predecessor, Dr. Joe Akabuike for his dedicated service to the institution and for contributing in laying the foundation upon which her administration is building.
