Operations at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) in Uburu, Ebonyi State, came to a halt as protesters from the host community staged a demonstration against the hospital’s leadership.
On March 24, 2025, a group of aggrieved residents, led by four traditional rulers—Godwin Akpandu Okoro, Christopher Ngwu Abbah, Eze Umezurike, and Lazarus Umahi—blocked the hospital’s entrance, accusing management of negligence and poor administration. According to them, critical medical facilities had been repurposed for non-clinical use, students were denied access to practical training, and essential equipment had been allegedly relocated to other hospitals, leaving DUFUTH under-equipped.
One of the protest leaders expressed frustration, stating, “Our community deserves a well-functioning hospital, not one crippled by poor leadership and mismanagement.”
In response, DUFUTH’s Public Relations Officer, Agwu Nwogo, refuted the claims, asserting that the hospital had experienced significant improvements under the leadership of Chief Medical Director Professor Uzoma Agwu. He highlighted increased staffing, infrastructure upgrades, and successful surgeries as evidence of the institution’s progress.
“The allegations do not reflect the true state of DUFUTH. We have made remarkable advancements in healthcare delivery,” Nwogo stated.
Despite the hospital’s defense, the protest has drawn attention to governance issues in the healthcare sector. As tensions persist, stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to address the concerns raised by the community.
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