FG's Take Over of Ebonyi's King David University of Medical Sciences, Buhari's Best Parting Gift to the Igbo – Eze

...Lauds Umahi for the Project Aimed at Eradicating Foreign Medical Tourism

... Students Celebrate as Umahi Slashes School Fees

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People's Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemek Eze, says the federal government takeover of the world-class King David University of Medical Sciences built by Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state is laudable, describing it as President Mohammadu Buhari's parting gift to ndi Igbo.

In a statement made available to the media in Abuja, Eze recalled that during the two-day visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Ebonyi State on 5th and 6th May 2022, the President was visibly awed by what he saw during the commissioning of the Ebonyi's King David University of Medical Sciences and thus without hesitation, acceded to the request of the Ebonyi State governor for the Federal Government to take over the running of the University.

Eze quoted Governor Umahi as stating, "This hospital is beyond the scope of any State government to run, and we have been celebrating your approval of our request and are very proud that you are here to commission it yourself."

In this regard, President Buhari assured that the Federal Government would take over the management of the University of Medical Sciences, located in Uburu, Ebonyi State, as a Federal Medical University.

The President told the people of Ebonyi that the process for the change of ownership of the University was on and would be concluded soon.

The actualization of the dream and vision of the Federal Government taking over this gigantic innovation was achieved on 6th September 2022 when the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, signed an agreement for the Federal Government to formally take over King David University of Medical Sciences according to a presidential promise by President Buhari in May this year.

In a ceremony held in the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja conference room, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to that effect was signed, sealing the takeover process.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor of Ebonyi State said the idea of the University was borne out of the desire to save the life of the people, serve them well and stem medical tourism.

"Apart from the huge revenue we would save from our people traveling abroad, we would be bringing world-class medical services home. That way, we are saving the lives of our people and earning foreign exchange from the foreigners coming for treatment," he said.

Governor Umahi further explained that the beautiful university environment was beyond what a state could manage, prompting the President, who commissioned it in May, to pronounce the takeover by the federal government.

Corroborating the statements of the governor, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said the Federal Government had to take over the University because of its strategic importance to the overall healthcare plans of the federal government.

"The institution is very ready and well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. We have confirmed the standards and are very excited to take them over. I will soon be there to physically take it over," Minister Ehanire said.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of State for Health, Barr. Joe Ekumankama, the permanent secretary of the ministry, and several directors of the ministry.

On the side of Ebonyi state were some commissioners and top state government officials.

Throwing more light on the University, Eze stated that the emergence of the University of Medical Sciences, which NUC has adjudged to be the most beautiful, will be a center of excellence for treating those terminal diseases that normally take people out of the country.

Eze, a member of the APC Legacy Projects Media Team (ALPMT) who took a tour of the University before the arrival and commissioning of the project by Mr. President in May, further highlighted that the University would go a long way to end foreign health tourism which is the objective of the huge investments in establishing and unveiling as a world-class medical University with a sophisticated blend of contemporary health and modern education by Governor Umahi.

The fact remains that this University is a Centre of Excellence in cancer management, kidney transplant with a dialysis centre, liver transplant, and other diseases management and treatment facilities. It has the latest diagnostic equipment that can be rated amongst the best anywhere in the world. The technology to be employed is equally second to none.

The center is staffed by the best hands anywhere in the world, and the structures are classic. The diagnostic equipment came directly from the manufacturers and is ready for use. It will be a medical tourism center, and it will attain the international status of such a big institution. For this, the power supply will be 24 hours as it would have power from a solar generator and the national grid.

The vision behind the establishment of David Nweze Umahi University of Medical Sciences is to halt and reverse medical tourism abroad; halt and reverse capital flight due to medical treatment and management of high-caliber diseases; provide access to ultramodern medical equipment and personnel, and expose our medical students to the best training facilities available in the world.

The Medical University is to house the best Medical College comprising faculties and departments in all medical and allied medical disciplines and the best teaching cum specialist hospital comprising about 5-6 Centres of Excellence in Medicare.

The University, rated as the best Medical University and Centre of Excellence in Medicare in entire Africa, has commenced operations with the production of some scarce sensitive hospital necessities.

Within a few months of the take-off, the University established the feat of becoming the first University in Nigeria to build an Oxygen Production Plant. According to the Vice Chancellor of King David University of Medical Science Uburu Ebonyi State, Professor Jessy Uneke, the institution has started building an Oxygen Production Plant to stem the dearth of the product in hospitals and schools in the country.

The University commenced 2021/2022 admission of Students in all 17 Programmes recognized and approved by the National Universities Commission /NUC. Professor Uneke further disclosed that the University was the first to start 17 courses simultaneously in Nigeria and was using Ph.D. Holders to start the University. There are additional four courses that the institution would equally commence in no distant time.

The dialysis Production Plant is being constructed, and it will be done between December 2021 and January 2022. In dialysis, there is a special consumable called Dialyzer for Liver and Kidney transplants.

Professor Uneke outlined the 17 Programmes in the University to include Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, and Physiotherapy. Others include Biometric Engineering, Optometry, Radiography and Radiation Science, Computer Science, Industrial Physics, Industrial Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Dentistry, Micro-Biology, Parasitology, Public Health, and Human Nutrition/Dietetics.

Professor Uneke said the University was formally recognized by the National University Commission (NUC) on 7th July 2021. He said, "When the NUC came for Resource Verification, and after assessing the resources, we had the privilege that 20 of our 20 Departments were approved. Twenty departments were running 17 Programmes; we also have all the 17 programs approved."

The University has Special Centres, including Cancer Centres, Kidney, Eye Centres, and Sports. "We want to provide a conducive learning environment."

The Students Celebrate As Gov Umahi Slashed the School Fees

Following the approval of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Engr. David Umahi and the formal Takeover of the David Nweze Umahi University of Medical Sciences by the Federal Government, Chief Eze said the Management of the University announced the reduction in the school fees payable by students of the University. This reduction is aimed at making it affordable to more students without compromising the excellent standards of the University.

The school fees for all programs have been reduced as follows:

I. Medicine & Surgery From 3,000,000.00 reduced to 1,000,000.00

2 Pharmacy From 2,500,000.00 reduced to 700,000.00

3 Dentistry From 2,000,000.00 reduced to 700,000.00

4 Nursing Sciences From 2,000,000.00 reduced to 700,000.00

5 Medical Laboratory Sciences From 2,000,000.00 reduced to 700,000.00

6 Physiotherapy From 2,000,000.00 reduced to 700,000.00

7 Optometry From 2,000,000.00 reduced to 700,000.00

8 Public Health From 2,000,000.00 reduced to 700,000.00

9 Human Nutrition & Dietetics From 2,000,000.00 slashed to 700,000.00

10. Computer Science From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

11 Industrial Physics From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

12 Industrial Chemistry From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

13 Industrial Mathematics From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

14 Biology/Biotechnology From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

15 Biomedical Engineering From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

16 Radiography & Radiation Sciences From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

17 Microbiology/Parasitology From 1,000,000.00 slashed to 500,000.00

Eze noted with happiness that the current school fees cover accommodation, ICT, Library, medical, environmental, security, utility, internet, examination, laboratory, sports, orientation, matriculation, and development levy.

Eze urged Nigerians and the world to take advantage of this unique opportunity by sending their children to enjoy the benefit of being trained by some of the best hands in the world.

The party Chief commended Mr. President for granting the South East this great parting gift while thanking Governor Umahi for his sagacity, ingenuity, and visionary leadership to his People.

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