Confusion as OAU teaching hospital gets 3 CMDs

A serious crisis is brewing at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, as three persons were issued a letter of appointment to the position of Chief Medical Director of the hospital.

Findings showed that a Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Olayinka Adegbehingbe, had been issued a letter to act as CMD from Tuesday June 20th, 2023 for a period of six months.

The letter with reference number SMH557/S.3/IV/125 obtained by our correspondent reads: “I am further to state that all processes for the fresh appointment of a substantive CMD would be initiated and conducted by the Ministry before the expiration of the six months.”

A letter dated 22nd June and signed by the Director, HRM, Hassan Salau, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, appointed Adegbehingbe.

The appointment came upon the termination of appointment of Dr Owojuyigbe Muyiwa as acting CMD, on June 22nd by the Permanent Secretary.

The letter obtained by our correspondent reads: “I am directed to inform you that the Permanent Secretary has approved the termination of your appointment as the Acting Chief Medical

Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife. In this regard, Prof. Olayinka Oladiran Adegbehingbe, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, also from OAUTH has been appointed to take over from you as Acting Chief Medical Director of the Hospital with effect from Tuesday, 20th June, 2023, for a period of six months.

“I am further to state that all processes for fresh appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) would be initiated and concluded by the Ministry before the expiration of the six (6) months period.”

But, another letter dated 27th June and addressed to Prof Owojuyigbe as acting CMD asked him to hold the office till he handover to Dr Adeyemo Adekunle in July.

reads: “I have approved the appointment of Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle, the Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) 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. All processes for the appointment of a substantive CMD for the Hospital shall be initiated and concluded by the Ministry.

“You are therefore directed to handover the affairs of the hospital on or before Friday, 7th July, 2023 to the DCMAC OAUTHC, Ile-Ife. This letter supersedes the earlier letter Ref. SMH557/S.3/IV/125 dated 22nd June, 2023 or any other letter.

“You are to ensure peaceful co-existence in the Hospital, till you handover, while Dr. Adeyemo Adekunle will by a copy of this letter continue from where you stopped,” the letter added.