As I mark the second anniversary of my appointment by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I reflect with humility and pride on the journey so far. The past twenty-four months have been characterised by resilience, reform, and remarkable progress across the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife. This comes as we commence a year-long series of activities planned to celebrate our 50 years of notable institutional existence and achievement.
Institutional Reforms and Administrative Renewal
Upon assumption of office, the institution faced significant challenges—ranging from industrial disharmony and bureaucratic bottlenecks to staffing imbalances and infrastructural decay. Through strategic and decisive leadership with critical stakeholder engagement, we have:
- Resolved legacy issues such as unlawful recruitment.
- Rebranded the institution with a new logo, official website, and communication channels.
- Introduced transparency in intern recruitment, staff promotions, payroll systems and procurements.
- Resolved career stagnation and staffing issues in laundry, tailoring, fire service and medical social service, among others.
- Launched comprehensive staff training programmes, retreats, and workshops.
- Strengthened anti-corruption mechanisms in partnership with ICPC, including the reactivation of the Anti-Corruption Transparency Unit (ACTU).
Clinical Excellence and Medical Innovation and Donations
OAUTHC is emerging as a national leader in several clinical domains:
- Paediatric Open-Heart Surgery: Now the foremost centre in Nigeria.
- Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Milestones: Including pioneering nephrectomies and urethral valve avulsions.
- Obstetric Fistulae Repairs: Numerous procedures completed at our Dame Olayinka Obaleye Centre.
- Medical Missions: Expanded outreach through partnerships with RCCG, FIGO, and House of Oduduwa.
- Surgical Oncology, Gynae-oncology, Histopathology and child development upgrades.
- Multi-million medical equipment donations such as mammography, ultrasound machines, laparoscopic and surgical donations.
Accreditation and Academic Collaborations
We secured 20 accreditations and subspecialty practices across multiple departments and initiated training collaborations with various institutions, including RCPCH London, Nigeria Connect Inc., and several Nigerian universities.
Infrastructure and Engineering
Significant infrastructural upgrades have been completed or are underway:
- Renovation of WGH mortuary.
- Restoration of the Oxygen Plant.
- Installation of 115 piped oxygen outlets.
- Solar power upgrades across critical wards and theatres, and streets.
- Completion of new wards, laboratories, and administrative buildings.
- Ongoing construction of theatre complexes, finance offices, gynaecology, and administration units, road repairs, and water system reticulation.
- Gbonjubola Amenity Ward, WGH.
- Urology Ward.
Strategic Appointments and Organisational Strengthening
To ensure effective governance and service delivery, we have:
- Appointed new Directors across Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Medical Laboratory Sciences.
- Created the Professional Medical Billing Unit.
- Created and filled key leadership roles, including Physicians-in-Charge and Unit Administrators across all hospital units.
Environmental and Welfare Enhancements
We prioritised staff welfare and environmental beautification:
- Cleared salary arrears and improved payment for outsourced services.
- Tree planting and environmental beautification initiatives.
- Paid allowances including Rural Posting, Robe, Uniform, and Promotion Arrears.
Financial Prudence and Audit Control
We instituted:
- Seamless Drug and Nutritional Revolving Funds.
- Consolidation of financial accounts for transparency.
- Reduction of outstanding debts.
Transport, Water, and Catering Reforms
- Repaired 16 duty vehicles, ambulances, and three water tankers.
- Procured two new ambulances.
- Reticulated water supply to reduce tanker dependency.
- Streamlined catering services under the supervision of dietitians.
Geriatric Care and Digital Transformation
- Over 3,000 NHIA enrollees at the Ijesa Geriatric Centre.
- Deployment of Electronic Health Records is now at 75% in IHU.
- Plans underway for ICT upgrades, digitalisation of hospital administration, and public health radio.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Persistent challenges remain—power supply, staffing shortages, infrastructural decay, and security threats. However, our roadmap includes:
- Massive 2025 staff recruitment.
- Completion of ongoing projects and infrastructural renovations.
- Expansion of electronic systems to all units.
- Renovation of our IHU mortuary and internal roads.
- Procurement of advanced radiologic equipment.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships.
- Befitting 50th Anniversary celebrations and activities.
Over the past two years, our progress has been achieved through collective dedication, adhering to the values of transparency, meritocracy, and service excellence. This compendium is intended not as a measure of achievement, but as a documentation of our ongoing efforts and an invitation to further engagement. The assessment of our accomplishments rests with our staff, clients, and, ultimately, the verdict of history.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the President of Nigeria and the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health for their confidence in my leadership. I am also grateful to the principal officials of our supervising Ministry for their guidance, as well as to our host communities for their growing support and all staff members for their resilience in the face of significant staffing challenges. Additionally, I remain grateful to the top management team and my entire support staff for their commitment and dedication to advancing our reform agenda, despite resource constraints.
Together, we continue to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda and strive towards a healthier, more resilient OAUTHC.
To God Almighty be all the glory.
Professor John A.O. Okeniyi
