The appointment of two interim Chief Medical Directors for the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has thrown the hospital into a state of uncertainty.
According to hospital sources, Prof Oladiran Adegbehingbe was appointed interim CMD in a letter dated June 22, 2023, written by Hassan Sallahu, Director Human Resources, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health.
Adegbehingbe was believed to have taken over immediately after receiving the letter, and he was even in the ministry in Abuja on Monday, when he was introduced to the officials.
The letter appointing him as the acting CMD read, “I am directed to convey the approval of the Permanent Secretary for your appointment as acting Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, with effect from Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
“The appointment is for a period of six (6) months within which all processes for the appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director would be initiated and concluded by the ministry.
“Similarly, and in the spirit of the agreement reached between you and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and other unions of the hospital, you are exempted from participating in the race for the appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director.”
However, Prof Afolabi Owojuyigbe, who succeeded the last substantive CMD, Prof Victor Adetiloye, arrived to the hospital on Friday with another letter dated June 27, 2023, addressed to him as the acting CMD and written by Adebiyi Olufunso, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health.
In the letter, Owojuyigbe was instructed to stabilise the hospital before handing over control to Dr. Adekunle Adeyemo, who was mandated to go in as acting administrator no later than Friday, July 7, 2023.
It read, “I have approved the appointment of Dr Adeyemo Adekunle, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee 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.
“You are therefore directed to hand over the affairs of the hospital on or before Friday, July 7, 2023 to the DCMAC OAUTHC, Ile-Ife.”
