As we mark today Friday the 8th of March 2024 another International Women’s Day, we stand united in celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women in our dear Hospital and across the globe. This year’s theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ calls upon us to not only recognize but actively promote the participation of women in all spheres of life.
Inclusion is not merely a concept; it is an action, a commitment to making every woman and girl feel valued, heard, and empowered.
As a physician and administrator, I witness daily the indispensable contributions of women in healthcare. Their resilience, compassion, and expertise are the backbone of our institution: from reception, to health information management, to nursing, medical and surgical care, laboratory services, catering and dietetics, laundry and tailoring, administration, finance and accounting, engineering and maintenance, counselling, and security.
Today, we reaffirm our pledge to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are respected. We commit to investing in women, accelerating progress, and thereby enriching our community with diverse perspectives and skills.
Let us all be champions of change, advocates for equality, and torchbearers of inclusion. Together, we can forge a world where every woman’s and indeed every human potential is recognized and nurtured.
Prof John Okeniyi,
Chief Medical Director,
OAUTHC, Ile-Ife.
