Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu MBBS, Phd, Chairman of the Governing Board of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), presided over a strategic meeting of the hospital’s board.

The meeting, held at the hospital’s premises in Uburu, brought together members of the Governing Board, the hospital’s top management, and key administrative officers. Discussions centred on the institution’s operational performance, infrastructural development, staff welfare, accreditation targets, and the continuous improvement of clinical services.

Chief Medical Director of DUFUTH, Professor Chihurumnanya Alo*, presented a comprehensive progress report to the board. Prof. Alo, who assumed office as the second substantive Chief Medical Director on 1 July 2026, succeeding pioneer CMD Prof. Uzoma Maryrose Agwu, highlighted significant gains recorded in the past few months.

According to the CMD, the hospital has made measurable progress in several critical areas:

• Consistent availability of essential medicines through strengthened operations of the Drug Revolving Fund, reduced stock-outs, and improved pharmacy store management with 24-hour power supply to protect drug quality.
•  Enhanced power reliability following the expansion of the hospital’s solar infrastructure, including additional capacity supporting critical units such as the Intensive Care Unit, operating theatres, laboratory, and MRI facilities.
• Faster laboratory turnaround times after the reactivation and full utilisation of automated laboratory equipment.
• Strengthened emergency response capacity with the recent delivery and commissioning of a state-of-the-art Advanced Life Support ambulance under the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).

Prof. Alo also updated the board on ongoing efforts toward securing full accreditation for undergraduate medical training from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, expansion of residency programmes, and deeper collaboration with the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS).

In his remarks, Board Chairman Dr. Arodiogbu commended the management team led by Prof. Alo for the steady progress being recorded. He reaffirmed the board’s commitment to providing strategic guidance and ensuring that the hospital’s needs are adequately reflected in federal budgetary allocations.

Arodiogbu, a medical doctor, health economist, and National Vice Chairman (South East) of the All Progressives Congress, described his role at DUFUTH as both a professional homecoming and a responsibility to consolidate the vision of the hospital’s founder, Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi.

He emphasised the need for unity of purpose between the teaching hospital and the university, improved staff welfare, accountability in resource utilisation, and the delivery of quality, affordable, and patient-centred care.

The Chairman further urged management to sustain the momentum of recent reforms and to position DUFUTH as a leading tertiary healthcare institution capable of reducing medical tourism from the South East and beyond.

Other issues considered during the meeting included infrastructure upgrades, community engagement, the recently approved College of Nursing Sciences, free medical outreach programmes, and the hospital’s overall contribution to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.

The board meeting ended with resolutions aimed at consolidating the gains already made while addressing remaining operational challenges. Management was directed to submit detailed implementation timelines on key priority areas for the board’s next review.

DUFUTH, established through the vision of Engr. David Umahi and later transferred to the Federal Government, has continued to expand its clinical services, specialist care, training capacity, and community health interventions since becoming fully operational.