The honour was in recognition of her singular efforts in conceiving and building a Diabetic Research and Diabetes Centre at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.
Details of the recognition were contained in a statement by the FCT president of the association, Dr Jennifer Chinwe Eze Boulhassane.
The centre, which was commissioned in January 2021 by former First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has a diabetic education room, a pharmacy and a 3-bedroom day care.
It also boasts of a laboratory, orthotic and podiatric department, a library, six consulting rooms, well furnished seminar room and dietic department in a 2-block facility.
Professor Anuma has, over the years, shown leadership, compassion and selflessness in the pursuit of her career, especially since losing her husband many years ago.
Dr Boulhassane described Professor Anuma as “being at the forefront of changing the narrative of the scourge of diabetes in both the young and old.”
She narrated how the diabetes centre was conceived and borne, saying Professor Anuma got an architect to develop the context and kept it in her laptop for five years until she got an opportunity to seek funding.
On her 60th birthday, someone whom she had successfully treated many years back told her to ask for a favour and Anuma, for the sake of humanity, showed him her long-term dream and vision and that birthed the centre.
Through the years, according to Boulhassane, Professor Anuma had set up the Mark Anuma Foundation in memory of her late husband which has medical/surgical missions with more than 40,000 beneficiaries.
She said the academic brilliance of Professor Anuma, her steadfastness in mentoring the young and advocacy in prevention of diabetes in the young are unparalleled.
“Professor Anuma is the author of some many books, including books on the Christian doctor, diabetes and lifestyle, etc.
“To immortalise an enigma, to honour a woman who has given so much back than to herself and for the first time in the history of MWAN FCT, the association, on 9 November, 2023 awarded her the First Trailblazer Award.
“This in recognition of her pursuit of excellence in improving medical education and enhancement of new technologies and academia per excellence,” Boulhassane stated in the statement.
