By Nkiru Anakor
The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, has urged young medical professionals to be proactive, recognise emerging opportunities and take deliberate steps towards advancing their careers.
Dr. Umeakuewulu gave the advice on October 27, while receiving the 2026 graduating class of Medicine and Surgery from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University (COOU), led by its class representative, Dr. Chinemerem Sixtus Edebeatu, during a courtesy visit to her office.
The graduates, who completed their studies in September, expressed appreciation for the support and encouragement they had received from the CMD since she assumed office. They also congratulated her on her recent birthday and offered prayers for continued wisdom, strength and divine guidance in the discharge of her responsibilities.
During the visit, the young doctors appealed for consideration for housemanship placements at COOUTH as they prepared to begin the next phase of their medical careers.
In her response, Dr. Umeakuewulu expressed delight at receiving the graduates and encouraged them to approach their professional journeys with foresight, initiative and a willingness to embrace available opportunities.
She emphasised that career advancement requires more than waiting for opportunities to arise, noting that young professionals must position themselves strategically, remain alert to available openings and acquire the necessary skills to take advantage of them.
Addressing their request for housemanship placements, the CMD acknowledged the graduates’ interest in undertaking their internship at COOUTH but explained that accommodating the entire class at once could be challenging due to existing constraints.
She noted that the hospital’s housemanship programme operates under certain limitations, as it is not directly controlled by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), leaving the hospital to bear the associated responsibilities.
However, she assured the graduates that some members of the class would be considered for placement as the need arises.
The visit provided an opportunity for the graduating doctors to engage with the hospital’s leadership, express their interest in beginning their professional careers at COOUTH and receive guidance on identifying and preparing for opportunities within the medical profession.
Nkiru Anakor is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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