FG appoints new acting CMD for OAUTHC

Leadership crisis engulfed the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun following the issuance of letters of appointment to two different persons as the hospital’s Chief Medical Director by the Federal Ministry Of Health.

This was, however, laid to rest on Monday as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Engineer Funsho Adebiyi announced the appointment of Professor Lateef Salawu as the new Acting Chief Medical Director (Ag CMD).

The Permanent Secretary said that Professor Salawu will serve for a maximum period of six months until a substantive CMD is appointed.

In a statement issued by the hospital Public Relations Officer, ‘Kemi Fasooto stated that, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. ‘Funso Adebiyi led a delegation to the hospital to resolve the impasse.

“At the end of about 7 hours meeting with the different unions in the hospital, the union unanimously agreed to have Professor Lateef Salawu as acting CMD of the hospital.”

According to the statement, “Professor Lateef Salawu has been appointed as the Acting Chief Medical Director (Ag CMD) of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, by the Federal Government, effective immediately.

“This decision was made today (Monday) after a seven-hour meeting involving the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Engineer ‘Funsho Adebiyi, and other stakeholders of the institution.

“Before his appointment, Professor Salawu served as a Consultant of Haematology and Dean of the Faculty of Basic Sciences at the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife”.

It be recalled that the earlier appointment of two Chief Medical Directors caused ripples among stakeholders in the hospital, has partially crippled the activities of the hospital.

For instance, in a letter with reference number SMH557/S.3/IV/125 obtained by our reporter instructed, a Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Olayinka Adegbehingbe, to act as CMD from Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 for a period of six months and that, all processes for the fresh appointment of a substantive CMD would be initiated and conducted by the Ministry before the expiration of the six months.

The letter explained that the appointment came upon the termination of the appointment of Dr Owojuyigbe Muyiwa as acting CMD, on June 22nd by the Permanent Secretary.

However, the atmosphere of the hospital became more tensed and enveloped with more complications as another letter which emanated from the federal Ministry of Health dated 27th June and addressed to Prof Owojuyigbe instructed him again to proceed as the acting CMD till July and handover to Dr Adeyemo Adekunle.

“I have approved the appointment of Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle, the Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) of the Hospital as Acting Chief Medical Director who will be in this capacity for a maximum period of six months, in line with Public Service Rules. All processes for the appointment of a substantive CMD for the Hospital shall be initiated and concluded by the Ministry.

“You are therefore directed to hand over the affairs of the hospital on or before Friday, 7th July 2023 to the DCMAC OAUTHC, Ile-Ife. This letter supersedes the earlier letter Ref. SMH557/S.3/IV/125 dated 22nd June 2023 or any other letter.

“You are to ensure peaceful co-existence in the Hospital, till you handover, while Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle will by a copy of this letter continue from where you stopped,” the letter read.

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