There is confusion at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, following the appointment of two persons as acting Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) within one week.
In a letter dated 22nd June 2023, and signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary by the Director Human Resources in Federal Ministry of Health, Hassan Sallahu, Prof. Oladiran Adegbehingbe was made the acting CMD.
Adegbehingbe was said to have assumed duty immediately after he got the letter and was even at the ministry in Abuja on Monday where 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, 20th June 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”.
But on Friday, Prof. Afolabi Owojuyigbe, who succeeded the last substantive CMD, Prof. Victor Adetiloye, returned to the hospital with another letter dated 27th June 2023, which addressed him as the acting CMD. It was written by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi.
The letter asked Owojuyigbe to stabilise the hospital and hand over its management to Dr. Adekunle Adeyemo, who was directed to take over in acting capacity on or before Friday, 7th July 2023.
“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, 7th July 2023, to the DCMAC OAUTHC, Ile-Ife,” the letter read.
