The management of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital has appealed to stakeholders and members of the public for continued support, understanding and patience as it works towards building a world-class tertiary health institution in Ondo State.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof Olusegun Ojo, made the appeal in Akure during the commencement of the biometric capture of inherited staff of the hospital by the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Directorate in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Prof Ojo described the establishment of the teaching hospital as a historic milestone, noting, however, that the task of transforming it into a fully functional and globally competitive teaching hospital had only just begun.
According to him, the institution remains committed to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government to ensure its successful transition into a full-fledged teaching hospital.
He said every policy, programme and investment of the management was being guided by the vision of creating a sustainable institution that would stand the test of time.
“A teaching hospital is expected to provide specialised tertiary healthcare services, train medical and allied health professionals, support academic excellence, conduct high-quality research, and serve as a centre for innovation and the advancement of medical knowledge.
“It must combine outstanding patient care with medical education, research and community service while operating with sound governance, modern infrastructure and highly skilled personnel,” he said.
The CMD explained that the management was deliberately laying a solid foundation for the institution through the strengthening of systems, infrastructure development, personnel training, academic collaborations and the establishment of structures capable of sustaining excellence in healthcare delivery, teaching and research.
While acknowledging that the process of developing a teaching hospital was demanding and required strategic planning, expertise and sustained investment, Ojo stressed the need for stakeholders to focus on the long-term benefits rather than immediate gains.
“The focus ought not merely to be on meeting present seemingly pressing needs but on building a lasting legacy that future generations of Nigerians, including our children and grandchildren, will inherit with pride,” he stated.
“The management acknowledges that planning and developing a teaching hospital is a huge and demanding undertaking that requires sacrifice, expertise, strategic planning, and sustained investment.
“While some progress will be immediately visible, many critical components require careful implementation and regulatory compliance.”
The management also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the hospital and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his commitment towards actualising the project.
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The management equally commended the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, traditional rulers, community leaders, lawmakers, development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society groups, the media and residents of the state for their roles in the actualisation of the long-standing aspiration for a federal teaching hospital in Akure.
On concerns raised by some former staff of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Akure, and organised labour leaders over individuals yet to be captured in the ongoing IPPIS exercise, Ojo assured affected workers that their complaints were receiving attention.
He said necessary steps were being taken within established government procedures to address the issues as quickly as possible.
The CMD therefore appealed to affected staff and stakeholders to remain calm and continue to engage constructively with the management, assuring that dialogue, mutual understanding and adherence to due process would serve the best interests of both employees and the institution during the transition period.
He also urged members of the public to rely on official channels of communication for information concerning developments in the hospital and avoid misinformation capable of creating unnecessary anxiety.
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