Dr. Umezurike Howard Akuma Daniel (FWACS, FICS) is a consultant surgeon, an astute medical doctor. Dr. Umezurike was born on 18th August, 1971 in Agugwu - Umunaga, Uburu in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State. He attended the prestigious Primary School Umunaga where he passed in flying colours and proceeded to Uburu Secondary School where he obtained West African School Certificate with outstanding performance.
Because of his intelligence, he got admission into Abia State University, Uturu to study medicine and Surgery where he graduated in 1999 with MBBS degree. He has the following professional Honours in the field of Medicine and Surgery:
- Fellow West African College of Surgeons (FWACS), and
- Fellow International College of Surgeons (FICS).
Dr Umezurike, was appointed the Hon. Commissioner for Health Ebonyi State on the 1st July, 2015 by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Chief David Umahi Nweze FNSE, FNATE in his first term. Due to his hardwork and diligence, he was reappointed the Hon. Commissioner for Health for the second time.
Dr Umezurike has many academic publications/journals both locally and internationally to his credit. He is a guru in this profession of medicine and has made remarkable marks in the field. As a Consultant Surgeon, testimonies abound of his God given talents and skills which attest to the survival of his clients after surgery. He has so many honours and awards from numerous academic institutions and organisation, both private and public.
Dr Umezurike upon his appointment as the Hon commissioner for Health brought in his professional prowess to bear and that accounts for some of the underlisted achievements recorded in the ministry within this one year in his first term in office.
The Ministry of Health under the leadership of this Medical icon built and completed an ultra modern multi-million Naira Virology Centre at FETHA II, Abakaliki for management and treatment of Lassa fever and other haemorrhagic fevers. This Centre is the best in Nigeria as confirmed by the Minister of Health and the first of its kind in the entire South East Nigeria. The establishment of Ebonyi State Primary Health Care Development Agency board and Primary Healthcare under one roof and successful transfer of all PHC workers in the Local Government to the board is also a credit to Hon. Commissioner. It is on record that at the time of his appointment, the State is rated as the last out of the 36 States, and the State used to score zero by the National Primary Health care Development Agency, but after one year in 2016, Ebonyi State is ahead of all other States in the Federation, courtesy of
His Excellency Engr. Chief David Umahi’s support to the Ministry in this regard. In the same vein, many other boards of the Ministry have been reconstituted and operationalized.
Under my watch, Ebonyi State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Uburu was constructed, and completed with Students Hostel and Staff quarters, among others. The college was granted full accreditation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in November 2018 and it is fully operational.
One of the novelty achievement of His Excellency in his second term is the construction of Ultra modern Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, uburu.
As a commissioner I lead a 5 man team that visited UPTH (University of Portharcourt Teaching Hospital) and our findings formed the nucleus which was used to develop the brief submitted to the architect for the design of our own teaching Hospital.
His efforts in the control of epidemics outbreaks, like cholera, Lassa fever that was ongoing even before his appointment is quite commendable. The Ministry of Health also under the leadership of Dr Umezurike Daniel has won the best Malaria performing State award, in 2015 (August) and 2016 which shows that the efforts of the Ministry in combating the disease is yielding fast result.
This gentleman Commissioner as fondly referred to by his staff runs an open door leadership which allows all staff to make contributions towards all matters affecting the growth of the Ministry. He has regard for all cadre of staff and that accounts for the numerous achievements so far.
Dr. Umezurike has also initiated the process for passage into law of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme bill and the School Health Ngbo. And today Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency have been established and in operation.
There are a lot of other projects being embarked upon by the Ministry like the upgrading of the 13 General Hospitals and strengthening of all the Primary Health care Centres. The Ministry has also sustained all her immunization activities to ensure that no Ebonyian dies of vaccine preventable diseases.
With one month to his appointment as the Hon. Commissioner for Health for the second time he initiated another process of release of a counterpart fund for the roll out of Basic Health care provision fund and State Health Insurance Agency.
Dr Umezurike is a sports enthusiast and is married to his wife, Associate Prof. (Mrs) Grace Umezurike and the marriage is blessed with children.
Dr. Umezurike Daniel (FWACS, FICS)
Hon. Commissioner for Health