From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Joint Action Committee union in the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has warned the Federal Ministry of Health the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) against causing chaos over the appointment of acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital.
The union comprising of 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) and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), urged the presidency to uphold the recommendation made by the board of management before its dissolution.
Speaking at a press conference jointly addressed by the Chairman and Secretary of MHWUN, Ogunfolakan W. A and Eluwade N, Oyeniyi O and Ajayi W of NANNM, Alagboofe S. A and Odugun B. A of NASU, Onitiju S. O and Ogunniyi O of NUAHP, Adeyeni A. B and Akanji B. O of SSAUTHRIAI, in Ile-Ife, Comrade Lateef Adeyeni, dispelled the rumour that the internal crisis has paralyzed activities in the hospital.
According to him, the matter regarding the nomination of the CMD is the exclusive function of the board of management which will in turn forward such to the President through the Federal Ministry of Health for final confirmation and appointment.
“The Board of Management had concluded the process of nomination and recommendations of the substantive Chief Medical Director of the Institution as of 17 of May 2023, and the same recommendation was forwarded to the Presidency through the FMOH on 18 of May 2023 via a letter with Ref. No. DA.44/Vol.X/471 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 addressed to the then Hon. Minister of Health.
“The Board of Management was still on the ground as at the time the nomination and recommendations of substantive Chief Medical Director were made to the President and whatever might have done as regards the process of appointment (screening and recommendations) of CMD’s applicants to the Presidency through the Federal Ministry of Health is valid and sacrosanct,” the JAC stated.
The union questioned why the ministry did not forward the recommendation to the presidency, insisting that the ministry lacked the power to nullify the activities of the Board of Management as it did in May.
A letter dated 22nd June and signed by the Director, HRM, Hassan Salau, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, appointed a Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Olayinka Adegbehingbe, to act as CMD from Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 for a period of six months.
The letter came upon the termination of the appointment of Dr Owojuyigbe Muyiwa as acting CMD, on June 22nd by the Permanent Secretary.
But, another letter from the ministry dated 27th June and addressed to Prof Owojuyigbe as acting CMD, asking him to hold the office till he handover to Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle on 7th July.
While Prof Owojuyigbe and Prof Adegbehingbe continue to lay claim to the office as acting CMD, Dr. Adekunle is preparing to take over on July 7.
He also accused the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), of attempting to impose a candidate for the position of CMD thereby causing crisis, insisting that Owojuyigbe would be in office pending the time he would hand over to Adekunle to pave way for appointment of substantive CMD by the presidency.