DUFUTH sets up committee to strengthen community relations

The David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital and its host community in Uburu, Ebonyi State have inaugurated a 10-member Host Community Engagement Committee to improve collaboration and mutual cooperation.

The committee, whose membership was announced on Thursday, is chaired by the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Uzoma Agwu.

The committee includes representatives of Uburu’s four autonomous communities and hospital management. 

HRH Eze Lazarus Umahi, Eze Adu III and Chairman of the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council, serves as co-chair. 

Dr. Darlington Peter Ugoji, the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, is vice chair, with Edith Ani, Director of Administration, as Secretary.

Other members are HRH Eze Godwin Akpandu of Enu-Uburu, HRH Eze Uchechukwu Onu of Etiti-Uburu, HRH Eze Christopher Abah of Eweze Uburu, Elder Josiah Aja, DUFUTH Public Relations Officer Agwu Nwogo Okorie, and Chief Nicolas Odii, the President General of Eweze Autonomous Community, who will serve as recorder.

Prof. Agwu said the body will deepen mutual understanding, promote peace, and give Uburu a structured voice in hospital affairs. 

Its mandate includes liaising with DUFUTH management and board, driving health advocacy, mobilising villages for medical outreaches, and supporting peace. 

The committee will meet quarterly.

“This platform will ensure issues in the hospital or host community are discussed and resolved early,” Agwu said.

HRH Eze Lazarus Umahi described the committee as “long overdue but timely.” 

He said the community had already donated the land for both the university and teaching hospital, including nearly 100 plots personally, and pledged to do more. 

He said: “Before anything escalates, this body will discuss it. 

“If the hospital needs anything from the community and we know, it will be done promptly.”

HRH Eze Godwin Akpandu praised DUFUTH’s recent improvements, saying the partnership could make the hospital a leading institution in West Africa. 

CMAC Dr. Ugoji said the hospital welcomed the development and promised sustained collaboration that would benefit both Uburu and DUFUTH.