Two acting Chief Medical Directors have emerged for the three newly established National Orthopedic Hospitals.
The yet-to-take-off federal health institutions were established and cited in Benin, Jos and Jalingo, in Edo, Plateau and Taraba states respectively.
A National Obstetrics Fistula Hospital, Benin, was also established by the federal government to take off concurrently.
It was gathered that the immediate past minister of state for health, Joseph Ekamanamam, presented letters of appointment to the three acting medical directors to the three hospitals on Wednesday, 24 May, 2023.
The development however took a dramatic turn, when on Friday, 26 May, the minister for health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, again presented letters of appointment to another set of acting Medical Directors for the same hospitals.
In the case of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, was said to have received his letter of appointment from the minister of state, Joseph Ekamanamam, while Dr. Ehanire presented letter of appointment to Prof. Alfred Ogbemudia.
Dr. Ugbodaga is a former chief medical director of Benin central hospital.
A reliable source in the federal ministry of health, in Abuja, who is in the know of the happenings in the ministry, told our correspondent that that the seeming logjam might have been caused by conflict of interest between the two ministers.
The source who asked not to be named, explained further that appointment of acting heads of federal hospitals like the one in contention falls squarely on the table of the minister of state.
According to him, “When government establishes a new institution, whether a university, hospital or anything, the minister has the power to appoint an acting head for a period of six months and is renewable for another six months, that is final.
“These National Orthopedic Hospitals were established in Jos, Plateau state, Jalingo, Taraba state and in Benin, Edo State. It is almost two years since the President signed them to law, but, till today, they are yet to take off.
“All the big hospitals, like the UNTH, UBTH and others fall under the main minister, Dr. Ehanire, in terms of recommendation of CMDs for appointment by the president, but, the smaller hospitals, like the Orthopedic hospitals, national medical centers and psychiatric hospitals, all report to the minister of state. So, these new appointments fall squarely on his table.”
Another source in the ministry who crave anonymity, described the development as “a fierce power play between two ex ministers”.
Meanwhile, Prof. Alfred Ogbemudia had during the week visited Governor Godwin Obaseki, to officially present his letter of appointment as the acting CMD of the hospital to him.
He was accompanied on the visit by Prof. Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye, the Acting CMD of the National Obstetrics Fistula Hospital, Benin.
Governor Obaseki who warmly received the two Acting CMDs in his office, used the opportunity to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to convert the state into a medical hub.
While applauding both men on their well-deserved appointments, the governor noted that their medical expertise is most needed now that the state is thinking of ways to revolutionize and enhance healthcare delivery.
Obaseki who also praised the federal government on its decision to site the proposed hospitals in the state, promised to work in tandem with the federal government to ensure the proposed hospital projects take-off on time
“I want to thank the federal government, especially the outcome minister of health and the former president for this kind gesture. They put Edo State first and I want to assure here that posterity will remember them for their kind gesture.
“I want to also congratulate the duo of Prof. Adeoye and Ogbemudia on their recent appointment as the Acting CMD of the National Obstetrics Fistula Hospital and the National Orthopedic Hospital respectively,” Obaseki had said.
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