Anambra NIPR, Ojukwu Hospital Partner for Staff Training

By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM, Awka

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Anambra State Chapter has expressed readiness to partner with the management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku-Awka on staff training and professional development.

The State Chairman of NIPR, Dr Ngozi Ulogu stated this in Awka when the Chapter visited the new Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu on Tuesday.

She noted that Staff training is very sacrosanct for effective communication and work relationship in an organization like the hospital to effectively communicate the activities of the hospital to her key stakeholders, particularly the patients.

Dr Ulogu, a fellow of the Institute, identified other areas of collaborative opportunities to include training of the staff in Health communication strategy, Crisis management in healthcare setting and capacity building for healthcare staff on effective communication.

She noted that COOUTH staff will equally be armed with public health awareness campaign strategy, geared towards designing and implementing awareness campaign on preventive health issues, enhancing community/patient engagement and health outcome.

Ulogu further intimated Dr Umeakuewulu of NIPR National events: Nigeria Public Relations Week, Croc City, Kaduna from 19th to 25th April 2026 and World Public Relations Forum coming up in November 2026, urging her to attend and sponsor her PR team to the events.

Responding, the new COOUTH CMD, Dr Umeakuewulu said her administration will focus on clinical practices, training of medical staff, community-based research and hospital-based communication. This, she said, could be achieved collaboratively with NIPR to train COOUTH staff on effective communication.

“Upon assumption of office, I interfaced with journalists, who are by training and practice, image makers, to help rebrand the image of the state teaching hospital.

“We are working towards improving our Servicom Unit to ensure quality healthcare service delivery while recieving feedbacks from our patients,” she concluded.

In a vote of thanks, Dr Nelson Omenugha, Vice Chairman of the Chapter, appreciated the CMD for the warm reception given to the visiting professionals, saying that her speech on effective communication aligns totally with the ideals of NIPR.

Members of the visiting team of NIPR Anambra State Chapter include Dr Chinedu Ekweonu, Secretary; Dumaka Ekemezie, Asst Secretary; Mrs Nonye Nwokoye, Financial Secretary; CSP Josephine Ihunwo, Welfare Officer; Sir Nnamdi Onuzulike, immediate past Public Relations Officer; Sir Maduaburochukwu Onwumelu, member and Ogemdi Ozoemenam, Public Relations Officer.