𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗥. 𝗗𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗔 𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗕𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗥 𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗠: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗠𝗗, 𝗙𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗘

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Doctor Dauda Abubakar katagum, the newly appointed Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Federal Medical Center Azare (CMD) was born on September 23, 1967, at Katagum town in Zaki Local Government Area, Bauchi state. Dr. Katagum is the descendant of a notable family of Galadima of Katagum.

Dr. Katagum, as he is fondly called by his colleagues, is a product of University of Maiduguri where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1991. He served the nation as a fresh graduate coming out from the University at Obubra, Cross Rivers state, as a medical officer in charge of Primary Health Care center.

Like most successful doctors in recorded history, Dr. Katagum has gone through various trainings under renowned doctors in and outside Nigeria to prepare him for the emerging challenges in his acclaimed special area of specialisation. Before his appointment to head the Azare Federal Medica Center, he was the Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the National Hospital Abuja, a position he held from 2019 to date.

Of his own volition, Dr. Katagum had made up his mind to acquit himself of an obligation to his alma mater as soon as he completed the National youths service. He worked in University of Maiduguri in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as a Junior House officer (1994-1996) and as a Registrar (1996-1999), respectively.

In 1999 when the Federal government opened the nation’s premiere hospital, the National Hospital in Abuja, Dr. Katagum was among the pioneer staff the government employed to build the foundation of growth for the hospital. The decision he took to work in this hospital has paid dividends. This period is a turning point in his career. It was in this hospital that he spent large chunks of his professional life of over 20 consecutive years of service to humanity.

Starting as a Registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the hospital in 1999, he rose to become the Chief Consultant of the Department in 2019. During his 23 consecutive years of service at the National Hospital, Dr. Katagum was at different times a consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist among other senior positions he held before he was appointed as the Chief Medical Director of FMC Azare.

He was a Chairman or member of 30 different administrative and Adhoc committees in the National Hospital and other places he worked. He acted as Chairman, Medical Advisor Committee (CMAC) Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, Coordinator of Family Planning Unit, Chairman Labour ward Drug revolving fund Committee, Master Trainer, Family planning/Long acting reversible contraceptives, and; master trainer on the use of Manual Vacuum Aspiration Kit(MVA ) among others.

Dr. Katagum is currently an alternate member representing the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs at the World Bank global fund through the country coordinating mechanism (CCM) Visiting Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist to NNPC clinic, Maitama, member, Medical team of the special summit on the African Union on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Abuja 2006, and; Focal person, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Post abortion care network (PACNET), NGO.

For three consecutive years, 2011 to 2014, Dr. Katagum was a member of the Federal Capital Territory Hajj operation. His invaluable contributions during the 2006 Hajj in which he diligently served as a member Presidential Committee had opened a window of opportunity that paved the way for him to be recognised by the FCT pilgrims welfare board.

Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum is a recipient of many awards for dedication, commitment to duty and performance in service. The governing board of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi Teaching Hospital, the first Federal University in his home state recognised his services to the University and awarded him with a letter of commendation. In the same vein, the governing board of the National Hospital Abuja awarded him with a 20 year (1999-2019) meritorious Service, in addition to an award of recognition for outstanding service to the Nation and Humanity by the Association of Resident Doctors, National Hospital Abuja.

He has presented and published many research papers and attended many trainings and quality medical programmes both within and outside Nigeria that have honed his skills.

He belongs to a membership of several professional and non Professional organisations as diverse as Fellow of West African College of surgeons (FWACS), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) to mention but a few.

Dr. Katagum is a title holder of Zanna Dujima of Katagum, a title His Royal Highness, the Emir of Katagum, Umar Faruk Umar II conferred on him in recognition for his selfless and tireless service to the community.

The ordinary folks in Katagum will be happy that they now have their son, one who has the passion to serve the community as the CMD of the major health facility in the area. Therefore, Dr. Katagum’s appointment couldn’t have come at a better time. He has come at the time when the Federal University of Health Science Azare is about to commence academic activities with a plan underway to upgrade the status of the Medical Centre to a teaching Hospital.

We join the family of the new CMD, his friends, colleagues, and well wishers to beseech Allah, He who bestows bounties and has power over all things to guide and protect him, as he assumes office as the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre Azare.