By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, has dismissed allegations made in a viral podcast concerning the state of facilities at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (AMAKU), Awka, describing the claims as misleading and not reflective of the hospital's current condition.
Dr. Obidike spoke after leading the anchor of the podcast, Yan Baba, alongside journalists on an inspection tour of the teaching hospital to verify the allegations. He said he immediately invited the broadcaster after watching the podcast, insisting that the facts should be established through an open inspection rather than speculation on social media.
According to the Commissioner, the inspection was deliberately made open to journalists to promote transparency and allow the public to independently assess the hospital's condition.
He noted that the team toured the hospital from the main gate through the emergency unit, trauma centre, wards, operating theatres, oxygen plant, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and diagnostic departments.
"The claims were that there were large potholes at the entrance, that the hospital environment was dirty and that critical facilities were not functioning," Dr. Obidike said. "Everyone who joined the tour has now seen that those claims do not reflect the present reality at AMAKU."
He stated that the inspection confirmed the availability of modern medical facilities, including multiple ECG machines, a 64-slice CT scan, a piped oxygen system, modern operating theatres and other critical equipment.
He added that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo recently approved the procurement of medical equipment worth over ₦500 million for the hospital, while the government continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure, recruit health workers and strengthen telemedicine services across the state.
The Commissioner further disclosed that Anambra State has emerged as one of Nigeria's leading performers in primary healthcare, winning the National Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge Fund Award twice within the last three years and attracting about 1.6 million US dollars in performance-based grants.
He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to free antenatal care and delivery services, improved welfare for healthcare workers and the establishment of the University of Medical Sciences and Technology to address the shortage of medical professionals.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chief Medical Director of AMAKU, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, said the visit was organised to give the public an opportunity to verify the true condition of the hospital rather than rely on reports circulating online.
She explained that the hospital management has maintained a clean and safe environment through regular sanitation, clearing of grasses and fumigation despite the rainy season.
According to her, the impromptu nature of the inspection demonstrated that no special preparations were made before the arrival of the media and the podcast anchor.
Dr. Umeakuewulu disclosed that the teaching hospital is undergoing major transformation through the digitisation of patients' records using barcode technology, the provision of Wi-Fi across the facility and the introduction of an electronic payment system managed by an independent service provider.
She said the initiative has eliminated cash handling within the hospital and improved transparency in revenue collection.
The Chief Medical Director also revealed that the hospital has continued to record increased patronage, particularly during the ongoing free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening programme organised to commemorate the birthdays of Governor Soludo and the First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo. She added that the hospital management remains focused on strengthening accountability, improving service delivery and providing quality healthcare to residents of the state.
Responding to the controversy, the doctor whose remarks featured in the podcast, in a message to the Commissioner, clarified that his interview was based largely on his experiences while working at AMAKU and the gaps that existed at the time.
He acknowledged that Governor Soludo had responded to several of those challenges through the renovation of the hospital following his June 2023 visit, improvements in healthcare workers' remuneration, the establishment of the Medical Response Team Fund (MRTF), payment of hazard allowances and the development of the trauma centre.
He explained that the podcast was intended as a chronological account of the hospital's journey, highlighting both past deficiencies and subsequent government interventions. According to him, some portions where he commended the Soludo administration may not have been emphasised in the excerpts that circulated online.
He further clarified that his reference to the lack of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was in relation to the hospital's Emergency Room and not the trauma centre, while noting that he had been informed that the trauma centre had since been equipped but was yet to be commissioned for public use.
He also commended the ongoing improvements under the current Chief Medical Director, stating that it would be unfair to assess her administration after less than one year in office.
"The interview lasted while i was around. it bothered on enquiry of my experience working there and gaps needed to cover, it existed and impacted lives of people while even soludo was governor and i clearly highlighted how he responded to its renovation after my post about the june 2023 visit. Giving him his credits on that, and the trauma centre too, and the MRTF and hazard allowance he responded to too.
These were a sequential story of experience mentioning his interventions along the way and places more emphasis is needed on-the equipment of the trauma centre, you had assured it has been equipped already, but not yet commissioned for use.
These errors pointed out led to me asking if the former cmd has ran into diminishing return, to change to new one. I try to resist every thought of talking of amaku of today in the hands of the new cmd. As it is not fair to analyse the governance of the new cmd when less than a year.
I see the improvements from the gate and beyond, which i highlighted his budget for it, but the interview was a story of what was existing and how it mattered, then inserting when he came up to do a thing or two there.
Interviewer might caption what they like as click baits. But if they like the govt, if you listen to the whole 2hrs, there’s a place to commend soludo on remuneration, trauma centre, upgrade if the hospital. But i feel that may not be a click bait for them so it’s their choice to chose their click bait, and the idea is for one to watch the full interview.
On trauma centre, it is under lock and key. You told us in abuja, days after the interview happened. Though that is still not for public consumption, if it’s open for public and these exist, i will be the crusader of how these things are now existing to transform healthcare.
For clarity, the lack of AED referred to was not for the trauma centre, but the ER of the hospital.
i see your hard work and i encourage you more.
Good morning my brother." He said.
Responding to questions about the podcast, Dr. Obidike said he welcomed the clarifications but maintained that the hospital's current state should be assessed based on facts on the ground.
He reiterated that the government would remain focused on improving healthcare delivery rather than engaging in distractions, while encouraging Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora to support the state's health sector through research, training, telemedicine and other collaborations.
He reaffirmed the Soludo administration's commitment to transforming AMAKU into a centre of excellence and ensuring quality, affordable healthcare for all residents of Anambra State.
