President Muhammadu Buhari renewed the appointment of Victor Adetiloye, a professor of radiology, as the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, southwest Nigeria, for the second and final term of four years. This was with effect from January, 2018.
He was first appointed the Chief Medical Director of OAUTH on January 29, 2014. His re-appointment was in June, 2018 but he stayed on while awaiting re-appointment and till an acting successor was named after his final tenure ended in January, 2023 making some observers wonder if that did not contravene the civil service rules. He would have handed over to the most senior director as acting CMD and vacated office.
The Board of Management recommended a new substantive Chief Medical Director of the Institution on May 17, 2023 and sent it to the President through the then minister, Federal Ministry of Health, on May 18, 2023 with Ref. No. DA.44/Vol.X/471.
It was captioned: “Result and Recommendation in Respect of Appointment Interview For The Office of Substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife.”
The substantive CMD is to be appointed by the President of Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari handed over to Bola Tinubu on 29 May, 2023 without making the appointment. In the interim, the Alhaji Shehu Barau Ningi-led Board of the OAUTH appointed Dr. Owojuyigbe Muyiwa as Acting CMD of the hospital. The appointment was reaffirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health, in a letter with reference number, DHS/873/vol.1/155, signed by Osarenoma Clement Uwaifo on March 5, 2018.
The chairman of the local branch of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of health unions in the hospital, Abdul-Lateef Adeyeni, said the real problem started with a letter on May 30, 2023: SMH.557/T3/104, “Appointment of Chief Medical Director (CMD) and Director of Administration (DA)” signed by one Hassan Sallau, Director of Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Health. The letter appointed as sole administrator, Dr. Kamil Ayinde Shoretire, and Mr. Olumuyiwa Fatorise as Ag. DA.
The letter nullified Prof Owojuyigbe’s appointment and that of the Director of Administration: The letter: “I am directed to refer to your letter Ref No. DA 44/vol.X/460 dated 28th April, 2023 requesting the Ministry to send representatives to participate in the appointment interview for Director of Administration and similarly, the directive of the Honourable Minister which was conveyed vide letter Ref SMH.557/T3/03 dated 12th May, 2023 instructing all appointments in respect of CMD and Director of Administration (DA) be held in the Ministry’s Headquarters, Abuja.
Regrettably, and in spite of clear cut caution from both Directors (HS) and (HRM) to comply with the Hon. Minister’s directive, the interview went ahead where both of you actively participated. In view of the foregoing, I am to convey the Honourable Minister’s approval to the effect that those appointments have been nullified.”
The letter in which Dr Kamil Ayinde Shoretire, Ag. Director (Inspectorate), Hospital Services Department and Mr. Olumuyiwa Fatorise, Assistant Director (Discipline) HRM from the Ministry’s headquarters were appointed to act as CMD and the DA, said all handing over and takeover formalities were to be concluded on or before Wednesday June 6, 2023.
The JCA complained and the Permanent Secretary in the FMOH called a meeting of all the unions. They are: Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospital Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Medical & Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN.
The unions preferred Dr Owojuyigbe Muyiwa as acting CMD but, MDCAN alone was said to have nominated Prof. Olayinka Adegbehingbe as acting CMD.
A letter came terminating the appointment of Dr Owojuyigbe Muyiwa as acting CMD from the Permanent Secretary.
In the letter, SMH557/S.3/IV/125, a Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Olayinka Adegbehingbe, was asked to act as CMD from June 20th, 2023:
“I am directed to inform you that the Permanent Secretary has approved the termination of your appointment as the Acting Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife. In this regard, Prof. Olayinka Oladiran Adegbehingbe, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, also from OAUTH have (sic) been appointed to take over from you as Acting Chief Medical Director of the Hospital with effect from Tuesday, 20th June 2023, for a period of six months.
I am further to state that all processes for the fresh appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) would be initiated and concluded by the Ministry before the expiration of the six (6) months period.”
However, another letter from the ministry’s Permanent Secretary dated 27th June and addressed to Prof Owojuyigbe instructed him again to take over as the acting CMD from June 30 and ignore any other directive on the matter.
He is to act till July 7 and hand over 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 (is) to continue from where you stopped.”
The drama over the appointment of three CMDs in one week ends till a substantive CMD is appointed but, the effect of the bitter intrigues it generated may linger on for some time in the hospital.
photo credit: tribune
