It was an honour well deserved as the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Imo State Branch, recently celebrated and capped Doctor Jideuma Ikenna Egwim with the award of Distinguished Medical Practitioner (DMP).
Egwim is a Consultant Family Physician and Public Health Practitioner described by the Association as a man with strong leadership character, upholding the tenets of the Hippocratic Oath with deep passion, as well as a commitment to the medical profession that has earned him a pride of place as a successful physician.
The erudite consultant who had won several awards in the past is currently a Chief Consultant Family Physician at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
The citation:
Born on April 11, 1973, Doctor Jideuma Ikenna Egwim is a native of Obazu Mbieri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, a graduate of the prestigious University of Ibadan and recipient of the Provost’s Award for the best all round student in leadership excellence, 1999 graduating class before commencing a career at the FMC, Owerri, that has spanned over two decades.
Not done with obtaining the Fellowship of the National College in Family Medicine in 2008, he proceeded to obtain a Certificate in Palliative Care from the Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research from the University of Liverpool in the UK; and a PhD in Epidemiology/Public Health from the Walden University, also in the USA.
He has had a sound academic record; standing out as the best graduating pupil at Obazu Primary School in 1983; best graduating student at the Archdeacon Dennis’ Junior Seminary, Mbieri, Owerri, in 1989; best in Leadership Excellence University of Ibadan MBBS graduating class of 1999, single attempts at Fellowship Primaries, and partial scholarship to study Palliative Care at Harvard Medical School.
His excellent performance at both the Master’s and PhD programmes earned him invitations to join many honour societies.
Doctor Egwim had made some worthy contributions to the development of medical practice in Imo state and the field of Family Medicine. His leadership qualities have been well harnessed by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) as he has served in several capacities at the Faculty of Family Medicine and beyond.
He is a Faculty Board Member from 2019 till date; Coordinator South East/South South Centre, Faculty of Family Medicine; NPMCN Diploma Programme from 2021 till date; and was Coordinator, NPMCN Owerri Examination Centre from 2017 to 2022.
He is an examiner at both Part I & II Fellowship Finals, Faculty of Family Medicine, NPMCN from 2015 till date; instructor in research methodology, and biostatistics Faculty of Family Medicine, NPMCN; and has successfully supervised 11 fellowship dissertations.
He has served in several residency training accreditation panels of the NPMCN Faculty of Family Medicine and above all, is a life fellow of the NPMCN.
Over the years, he was a member of Imo State VISION 2020:20 Council; and Imo State Strategic Health Development Plan Steering Committee; and in 2007, served in Imo State Government Transition Committee and Protem Chairman, Sub Committee on Health.
He was Board Member, Hospitals Management Board, Imo State (2008 -2010), National Executive Council member and State Chairman, NMA, Imo State (2008 -2010); Vice Chairman, the Nigerian Medical Association, Imo State (2006 -2008); Deputy Secretary, NMA Imo State (2005 -2006); Chairman, Mbieri General Hospital Development/Rehabilitation Committee (2005 -2008); National Executive Council Member, National Association of Resident Doctors, and President, Association of Resident Doctors, FMC, Owerri (2004-2006).
He was also the Secretary, Corps Health Team NYSC, Imo State (2001 -2002); President, Federation of African Medical Students’ Association (1997 -1999); President, Association of Resident Doctors, FMC, Owerri (2004-2006), President, Association of Nigerian Medical Students for the Welfare of Mankind affiliated to the International Physicians for the prevention of Nuclear War (1997-1999); National Executive Council Member, the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NIMSA), [1997- 1999]; Director, NIMSA Standing Committee on Games (1997-1998) and Secretary General, NIMSA Standing Committee on Games (1997).
At other points in time, he was Cofounder and President, Federation of Imo State Medical Students’ Association, University of Ibadan (1997 -1997); President, Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Students’ Association, University of Ibadan (1997 -1999), in addition to several other positions that are too numerous to mention.
He enjoys literary activities and served as Editor/Editor-in Chief in several literary organisations including Editor-in Chief, University of Ibadan Medical Students Association Press (1995), Editor, Alexander Brown Hall (ABH), University College Hospital, Ibadan Press (1996-1998); Editor in Chief, Corps Health Team, NYSC, Imo State, Imo State Editorial Board (2001 2002); Editor in Chief, The Consult, a publication of COHET, NYSC, Imo State (2002) and Editor in Chief ARD FMC, Owerri (2003 2004).
He has made a worthy mark at the FMC, Owerri; he pioneered Palliative Care and has been the Head of Unit from 2012 till date. He sits as Chairman, Senior Staff Committee charged with the responsibility of an investigative/disciplinary panel for senior staff members of the institution from February 2021 to date; and served as Head, National Health Insurance Scheme for a record seven years from 2012 to 2019, and Head, Department of Family Medicine, from 2014-2019.
Egwim as he is simply and popularly called continued from the good work of his predecessors by laying further framework for a robust NHIS Unit with an enrollee strength that ranks among the top three in the whole Nigeria, in addition to establishing a competitive edge in the retainership industry that hitherto had a strangle-hold by private healthcare providers in the State.
He has several publications in both local and international journals and has won lots of laurels from practically all the institutions he attended; Commendation Award for Distinguished Service to Fatherland by NYSC, Imo State 2002; President Merit Award, National Association of Resident Doctors 2005; and Merit Award also the Anglican Communion. He is also a recipient of the Grand Award for Productivity in Africa by PSR Magazine; and Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administrators.
He has made paper presentations at the Palliative and Oncology Conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO), at San Diego, USA, October 2017; the Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) at Boston, USA, March 2018; and several conferences locally.
He was First Prize Winner, Glaxo Wellcome, National Essay Competition for Doctors (2000); First Prize Winner, Dokita Essay Competition (1997) and Second Prize Winner, Reals Pharmaceuticals National Essay Competition for Doctors (2003).
He is a member of several national and international organisations including American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), and life member of Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON).
He is the CEO of Primetime Colosseum Events Place, CEO of Primetime CBT Centre, and Consultant at the Family care Specialist Clinics, Owerri.
Doctor Jideuma Ikenna Egwim is happily married to Doctor Adanna and the marriage is blessed with four children.