Ojukwu varsity hospital CMD, Nwankwo dies

Akabuike appointed new CMD

Onyemaechi replaces Akabuike in board of College of Health Tech

By Chuka Nnabuife

ANAMBRA State has announced the death of one of her very active frontline health workers in the fight against coronavirus and other diseases, Dr Basil Nwankwo. 

Until his death, Nwankwo was the Chief Medical Director of Chuwkuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, in Awka, the capital of Anambra State.

His death has set Anambra into mourning. Announcing the development in his statement issued yesterday (Wednesday) in Awka,  Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Solo Chukwulobelu, communicated the state government's shock and grief over the death 

Expressing the state Governor, Dr Willie Obiano’s grief, Prof. Chukwulobelu described the death of the CMD as saddening given that Ifitedunu, Dunukofia, local council-born Nwankwo, a renowned medical scholar and well experienced ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, led an illustrious team of health workers and volunteers at the COOUTH in a spirited battle in the frontline, against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SSG's statement explains: “Gov. Willie Obiano is saddened by the unfortunate passing of Dr Basil Nwankwo, who performed creditably well as the CMD of COOUTH.

“Dr Nwankwo, together with his colleagues at Anambra State Ministry of Health, and other partner agencies have been on the frontline of health officials fighting the coronavirus in the state. “

Nwankwo's death necessitated a reshuffle of duties in Anambra State's health sector. In the aftermath of the development, the state government, announced the appointment of Dr Josephat Akabuike, Chairman of Governing Council, Anambra State College of Health Technology (ANCHT), Obosi and a former Commissioner for Health, as the new CMD of COOUTH.

In the statement, the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, was named as Akabuike's replacement in the Governing Board of the College of Health Technology, Obosi.