The orientation for the new batch of House Officers (2023/2024) at Alex Ekweme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, which took place on 22nd January 2024 was organized by the Association of Resident Doctors at the Hospital Auditorium. The event was aimed at familiarizing the newly recruited House officers with their new environment and equipping them with essential skills for their upcoming responsibilities.
During the orientation, Prof. Robinson Onoh, the Chief Medical Director, emphasized the significance of the training and urged the new house officers to approach it with seriousness, considering it "a golden opportunity for personal and professional development." He assured them that accommodation concerns had been addressed by the hospital management.
Dr. Sunday Nnaji, the President of the association, congratulated the new house officers and encouraged them to be proactive in their duties, emphasizing the responsibility they hold in caring for lives and the hope of patients at AE-FUTHA.
Additionally, Dr. Gilbert Okpara, former president of the Association, highlighted the role of NARD and informed them that ARD is an affiliate of NARD, serving the welfare needs of its members across health institutions. As such, he assured the fresh interns that their welfare and interest is a top priority for the association. In this regard, he encouraged them to align with the vision, mission and core values of the association as these are requisite commitment expected of them from the association as they journey through the next 12 months of their internship training.
Reported by Nwankwo Monday, Corporate Communications.
The diary of activities of the Chief Medical Director, CMD, of AEFUTHA, Prof. Robinson Chukwudi Onoh, recorded a landmark event last Thursday with the inauguration of the first set of Executives of the Staff Welfare Association elected under his watch. The inauguration ceremony which took place in his office featured key figures in the hospital administration department including the Director of Administration, Chief Calistus Azubuike Okonkwo, the outgoing Executive members of the Association, led by the Chairman, Com. Solomon Uzoke, the incoming Executive members led by the Chairman, Com. Pascal Akuma and the Election Committee members.
Presenting the Association Executives to the CMD for inauguration, the Director of Administration, Chief Okonkwo, traced the history of the election process in the Association and highlighted the new format in which Executive positions were zoned to departments and the departments were allowed to conduct election to produce those executives. This was a departure from the former pattern where the election of all executive members was centralized and involved all the departments. Chief Okonkwo praised the new format for being more inclusive and engendering less political acrimony and commended the Hospital Management for evolving the novel process and saving the hospital community from political bickering.
Chief Okonkwo further commended the outgoing leadership of the Association for their remarkable achievements which he enumerated to include building a strong foundation for the association, leaving no debt for their successors as well as building an edifice for the Association. He urged the incoming executives to key into these achievements as a stepping stone to greater achievements in their tenure.
The outgoing Chairman, Mr. Uzoke, in his hand-over speech pledged never to withhold vital information from the incoming team and restated his commitment to a strong and better staff welfare association.
In his acceptance speech, the incoming Chairman, Mr. Akuma, expressed gratitude to his predecessor, whom he described as a "Pointer." "Since we have a Pointer, a person we can emulate from and confide in, the work will be much easier," he said, adding that with the help of God Almighty his team would excel.
Inaugurating the new Exco, the CMD, Prof. Onoh, lauded the simplicity and transparency of both the election and the transition process and urged other associations to copy from the model. He congratulated the Exco members for their election and exhorted them to work with a team spirit, maintain cordial relationship with one another and support the Hospital Management for the betterment of the Association and the hospital community.
The full list of the newly inaugurated executives included the Chairman, Akuma Pascal; the Vice Chairman, Ogu Martha; Secretary, Ugwu Anthony; Assistant Secretary, Chima Princewill; Financial Secretary, Dr. Eze Chidi Eze; Treasurer, Onwe Thomas; Public Relations Officer, Egwu Edith Ebere; - Director of Socials Offorbuike Onwe; Provost 1, Okoh Bernard; Provost 2, Nworie Kenechukwu; and the D.A's Representative, Olughu Chinedu.
The ceremony was concluded with a prayer for the success of the new Exco and a group photograph.
In a heartfelt act of generosity, Mrs. Chioma Eneduanya, a philanthropist and owner of Everlasting Nursery and Primary School in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, donated an electronic water dispenser to Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AEFUTHA) on 12th January 2024.
Expressing her motivation, Mrs. Eneduanya shared, "Witnessing the hospital's commendable assistance in treating my child and other children under my care during emergency situations compelled me to contribute. I believe providing support to the hospital, particularly in ensuring access to water, can significantly contribute to saving lives."
During the official handover, Prof. Robinson Onoh, CMD of AEFUTHA, expressed gratitude for the thoughtful donation. He acknowledged Mrs. Eneduanya for identifying a crucial gap within the hospital's services and taking action to address it, emphasizing the positive impact on the lives of those in need of water during medical emergencies. In his remark, the CMD reiterated that "NGOs, State Government and well-meaning Nigerians can borrow a leaf from this remarkable event to come to our aid by identifying gaps and making willful donations to assuage the sufferings of our numerous indigent patients."
Prof. Onoh applauded the philanthropist's commitment to supporting the hospital's mission and attributed the gesture as a valuable contribution to the administration's efforts.
Dr. Nnaemeka Omeje, Head of the Paediatric Department at AEFUTHA, along with other department members, conveyed their overwhelming excitement. They highlighted that Mrs. Eneduanya's donation of an electronic water dispenser is a pioneering initiative and the first of its kind for the hospital.
The act of kindness is expected to enhance the hospital's capacity to respond to medical emergencies, underlining the significant impact individuals and businesses can have when joining hands to support healthcare institutions. Mrs. Eneduanya's contribution stands as a beacon of community spirit, showcasing the positive outcomes achievable through collaborative efforts in the service of humanity.
All Hail the Okaka Na Eme Eze 1 of Etiti Ngwo Na Asaa
Third January, 2024 has booked a special spot in the memory pods of the people of Etiti Ngwo Community of Enugu State with the induction into the hall of fame and conferment of a chieftaincy title on one of its illustrious sons, Prof. Robinson Chukwudi Onoh. A Consultant Gynecologist and Endoscopic Surgeon Prof. Onoh is the Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, AEFUTHA. The conferment of Okaka Na Eme Eze 1 of Etiti Ngwo on Prof. Onoh was the climax of the civic reception organized in his honour for his various contributions to the development of the community and meritorious services to humanity.
During the epic event held at Obu Ukabi Square, Etiti Ngwo, Prof. Onoh was celebrated as a prince of the Royal dynasty of Nnadi Onoh Nnadi of Etiti Ngwo and described as an accomplished and committed leader whose life has helped to transform other lives that crossed his part. The story was told of how a medical outreach he initiated in the community attracted the attention and commendation of Her Excellency, the wife of the Governor of Enugu state and paved the way for a pledge by the State Government to repair the famous Milken Hill Road, the only access road between the Community and Enugu capital city.
His Royal Highness, Igwe I. O. U. Ayalogu, the Assa 1 of Ngwo N’ássa performed the rites of conferment of chieftaincy title on Prof. Onoh, surrounded by members of his royal cabinet, and called down the blessings of God and the intercession of their ancestors on the Okaka Na Eme Eze 1.
In his acceptance speech, Prof Onoh thanked the Igwe and the Igwe in Council for the conferment of the chieftaincy title on him. “I know that without the approval of the Igwe-in-Council the chieftaincy would not have been given to me,” he said. He dedicated the chieftaincy title to God and his Father, explaining that the name of the title, Okaka Na Eme Eze, means “God crowns or makes the king.” “Without God I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t be crowned with the chieftaincy title,” he said, adding, “my father saw something in me which I did not see and dedicated his life to ensure I had proper education.” He promised to use his position as CMD of AEFUTHA and his new position as a titled chief to continue to touch lives and help humanity in more ways than before.
The occasion was a parade of who’s who of Etiti Ngwo Community, home and abroad; the AEFUTHA Community including the immediate past CMD of AEFUTHA, Dr. Ogah Onwe Emeka; the Provost, College of Medicine at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ikwo, AEFUNAI, Prof. Paul Olisaemeka Ezeonu; the Director of Administration at AEFUTHA, Chief Calistus Okonkwo; former Director of Finance, Chief Sylvester Ugamah and other top management staff of the hospital.
The event was quite rich in colour with an array of traditional dance troupes and cultural performances.
Story by Nonye Muoneke with Reports by Ifeoma Ejike
In a remarkable display of compassion and healthcare excellence, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, joined forces with the visionary the wife of the State Governor, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Mary-Maudline Ogbonna Nwifuru and her pet project "Better Health for Rural Women and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO)" to orchestrate a monumental medical outreach at Oferekpe Agbaja in Izzi Local Area on December 16, 2023.
Read more: AEFUTHA & BERWO'S TRANSFORMATIVE HEALTHCARE OUTREACH UPLIFTS LIVES IN EBONYI STATE
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