By Doris Obinna
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State Branch, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye following the renewal of his appointment as Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos by the Federal Government.
The Branch Chairman, Babayemi Oyekunle, described the renewal as a deserving recognition of Dr. Owoeye’s exemplary leadership and professional excellence and for his consistent display of integrity and courage under pressure, particularly his refusal to yield to unethical practices that undermine the healthcare system.
His tenure, the Society noted, has been defined by significant improvements in staff welfare, infrastructural development, and an unwavering commitment to professional standards.
His support for the appointment of Consultant Pharmacists at the hospital, despite substantial opposition, was cited as a bold step rooted in lawful administrative practices and a commitment to fairness in healthcare management.
Further applauding his achievements, the PSN praised Dr. Owoeye for facilitating long-overdue staff promotions and fostering a conducive environment for effective service delivery. The Society encouraged him to sustain his visionary leadership in the new term, affirming that his continued service would enhance patient care and boost the morale of healthcare professionals.
The PSN also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) for the decision to renew Dr. Owoeye’s mandate. It viewed the development as an affirmation of merit, ethical conduct, and competence. Special commendation was given to the Hon. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiak Adekunle-Salako, for his commitment to appointing capable and principled individuals to leadership roles in the health sector.
In the same vein, the PSN congratulated Dr. Damola Dada for his impactful leadership during his eight-year tenure as Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta. Describing his administration as a golden era, the Society lauded his efforts in maintaining institutional stability, ensuring efficient operations, and effectively leveraging public-private partnerships to sustain essential services.
Dr. Dada was also recognized for his principled resistance to professional pressures aimed at marginalizing the role of Consultant Pharmacists. The PSN characterized him as a law-abiding and progressive leader whose actions continue to promote reform in the healthcare space.
His current leadership at the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti where he approved the adoption of Grade Level 12 as the entry point for Pharm.D holders was cited as a transformative move in improving welfare for non-physician healthcare workers. Despite facing resource constraints in Ekiti, Dr. Dada’s inclusive and equitable approach to administration was hailed as exemplary.
The PSN reiterated its opposition to the prevalent trend of biased and exclusionary leadership practices in many healthcare institutions. It emphasized the importance of fairness, equity, and respect for human dignity in the administration of health facilities, arguing that these values are essential for lasting harmony and progress in the sector.
In a related development, Bola Oyawole, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PSN, Lagos State, called on government authorities at all levels to urgently address what he described as unjust and unconstitutional appointment practices in Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).
While commending Drs. Owoeye and Dada for their notable contributions, Oyawole criticized the manipulation of the University Teaching Hospital Act and the Federal Medical Centres Act, asserting that both laws contain discriminatory provisions that unjustly limit leadership positions to physicians.
Quoting the 1999 Constitution, Oyawole stressed that discrimination based on professional affiliation is prohibited and called for equal opportunity in leadership roles across all healthcare professions.
He urged newly reappointed and former medical directors to join in advocating for systemic reform to promote inclusivity, fairness, and justice in the nation’s health sector.