Dr. Linus Arodiogbu, the newly appointed Chairman of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital Board, has pledged to ensure the institution's interests and needs are well represented in the 2025 budget.

He made the promise during his first official pre-inaugural visit to the hospital, where he met with the top Management of DUFUTH and DUFUHS, Heads of various departments and units in the hospital and representatives of various unions.

Dr. Arodiogbu expressed his commitment to working closely with the Chief Medical Director to extensively capture the hospital's needs in the budget and commended the positive energy and passion of the hospital Management and staff, particularly the CMD's drive to reposition the institution.

The Chairman emphasized his desire to make a positive impact during his tenure and leave lasting legacies that will transform the hospital.

He described his recent transition from politics to health, and his affiliation to DUFUTH, as a fulfilling journey and a homecoming to his medical roots.

Dr. Arodiogbu also expressed his pride in being associated with the University of Health Sciences, highlighting its unique status as the only government owned medical university in the South East.

During the visit, the Chief Medical Director outlined the hospital's progress, including the expansion of clinical services from the initial confines of the first floor to all floors of the five-story complex.

This strategic move, she said, has enabled the hospital to optimize its physical space and enhancing operational efficiency.

The CMD also highlighted initial hurdles experienced in 2022 to get all clinical departments active, including addressing post-construction defects, partitioning all floors, drilling new boreholes to address water challenges, installing and activating most hospital equipment, and fine-tuning the recruitment processes for the first batch of 756 staff in 2022.

Additionally, she said the hospital has engaged part-time consultants to provide specialized healthcare services, while staff welfare has remained her priority.

The CMD noted that despite the hospital's relatively young age, significant achievements have been made.

She further expressed her optimism that Dr. Arodiogbu's leadership will shape the hospital's healthcare policies and programmes towards unprecedented growth.

The Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Professor J.C. Uneke, represented by the DVC Administration, Professor Nkeiruka Folaranmi, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between a hospital and its university.

Similarly, Professor Esther Ajuluchukwu, Provost of the College of Medicine DUFUHS, foresaw a fruitful collaboration between the university's College of Medicine and the Teaching Hospital.

She expressed her enthusiasm to organize a tour of the hospital's facilities for the incoming students trainees to familiarise them with their environment.

The meeting continued with representatives of other interest groups in the hospital.