Tunji wusu –
Following the Federal Ministry of Health’s issue of letters of appointment to two separate people as the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, a leadership crisis enveloped the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun.
However, this was put to rest on Monday when Professor Lateef Salawu was named the new Acting Chief Medical Director (Ag CMD) by Engineer Funsho Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Professor Salawu will hold office for a maximum of six months, according to the Permanent Secretary, until a substantive CMD is chosen.
Kemi Fasooto, the hospital’s public relations officer, said in a statement that Engr. Funso Adebiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, headed a delegation to the hospital to break the deadlock.
After over seven hours of discussions with the various hospital unions, the union unanimously voted to appoint Professor Lateef Salawu as interim CMD of the hospital.
According to the announcement, “The Federal Government has nominated Professor Lateef Salawu as the Acting Chief Medical Director (Ag CMD) of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, with immediate effect.
This choice was decided today (Monday) during a seven-hour discussion with Engineer Funsho Adebiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, and other members of the institution’s stakeholder group.
Professor Salawu previously held the positions of Dean of the Faculty of Basic Sciences and Consultant of Haematology at the College of Health Sciences at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife.
Recall that the former appointment of two Chief Medical Directors sparked controversy among hospital stakeholders and hindered the hospital’s operations in some ways.
For instance, a letter with reference number SMH557/S.3/IV/125 that was obtained by our reporter directed Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon Olayinka Adegbehingbe to serve as CMD beginning on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for a period of six months, and that the Ministry would start and carry out all processes for the new appointment of a substantive CMD before the six-month period expired.
The letter indicated that Dr. Owojuyigbe Muyiwa’s position as acting CMD had been terminated by the Permanent Secretary on June 22nd, prompting the appointment.
But as another letter from the federal Ministry of Health dated June 27 and addressed to Prof. Owojuyigbe instructed him once more to continue as the acting CMD until July and hand over to Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle, the atmosphere of the hospital grew more tense and engulfed with more complications.
“In accordance with Public Service Rules, I have approved the appointment of Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle, the hospital’s deputy chairman of the medical advisory committee (DCMAC), as acting chief medical director. He will serve in this position for a maximum of six months. The Ministry shall begin and carry out all procedures for the appointment of a substantive CMD for the Hospital.
“You are consequently instructed to turn over the hospital’s business to the DCMAC OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, on or before Friday, July 7, 2023. This letter supersedes all prior correspondence, including letter Ref. SMH557/S.3/IV/125 dated June 22, 2023.
The letter stated, “You are to ensure calm coexistence in the hospital until you handover, while Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle will purchase a copy of this letter and continue from where you stopped.”
