Alhaji Ibrahim Shettima, Chairman, Board of Management, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has tasked the management and members of staff of the hospital on international best practices to make hospital the leading medical service delivery centre in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shettima stated this in Ibadan at the award night/dinner marking the 62nd anniversary of the hospital.
Shettima stated that UCH, University of Ibadan and the College of Medicine have a symbiotic relationship and as such, they must collaborate to serve as a benchmark in health care delivery in the country.
He lamented on the downward slide in the ranking of the three institutions in Africa as well as the latest ranking by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“I came here to challenge the management and staffers of these three institutions. I want to let us know that we are in the era of competition.
“You cannot rest on your oars. Your good is not enough and like the saying goes, good is the enemy of great and we have always wanted to be great.
“If you look at our vision, UCH is to be a flagship for West Africa and the first choice in medical services in Africa.
“If you look at our core values, some of them were implemented in collaboration with other parties, but we need to do more so that UI, UCH and the College of Medicine will be leading light in medical services and tertiary education in Nigeria.
“As we are celebrating, we should know that the road ahead is still very rough and we need to guard our loins so that we can forever retain our pride position of leadership for which Ibadan is known,” he said.
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Shettima noted that with the research incentives for staff put in place by the management of the hospital and others, he was hopeful that the hospital would be better for it.
He, however, charged the management to faithfully implement the two communiqués, which were based on the core mission and vision of the hospital for a better result.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, highlighted his achievements and that of his management team in less than a year in office.
He stated that the hospital got a Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award as the best tertiary healthcare provider in 2019 by the National Healthcare Development Agency.
He, however, solicited for support from well-meaning Nigerians to contribute to the development of the hospital.
Otegbayo stated that the hospital had continued to prioritise quality service delivery and staff welfare.
“We have achieved the following, among others, since we assumed office: renovation of dilapidated staircases in the east wing of the hospital, renovation of Otunba Tunwase Children Emergency Ward (OTCHEW), provision of stainless chairs for patients’ relations and acquisition of new lift,” he said.
NAN reports that the event featured award of grand patrons to Pastor Enoch Adeboye of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Chief Subomi Balogun and the Etsu Nupe, Dr Yahaya Abubakar.
Other awardees were Sen. Hoses Agboola, Chief Bamidele Dada and some corporate organisations including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), for their contributions to the development of the hospital.
NAN also reports that some members of staff in both the junior and senior cadres received various awards at the event.
(NAN)
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