The management of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, has commended Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over reforms in the state’s health sector, particularly the implementation of enhanced allowances for health workers and investments in medical infrastructure.
- +Ondo teaching hospital hails Aiyedatiwa for health sector reforms
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Michael Gbala, gave the commendation in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
Gbala said the implementation of the enhanced allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure had boosted staff morale and improved healthcare delivery.
“The governor’s decision is a landmark intervention that had significantly boosted staff morale, improved healthcare delivery and positioned the Sunshine State as the first state in South-West Nigeria and among the first in the country to implement the enhanced professional allowances,” he said.
According to him, the improved welfare package has also attracted consultants and other highly skilled healthcare professionals to the hospital, with UNIMEDTH recording what he described as its highest influx of specialists in eight years.
The CMD also commended the state government for releasing the Medical Residency Training Fund, expanding internship opportunities and approving permanent employment for more than 100 hospital security personnel.
He further acknowledged the procurement of medical equipment for the hospital, including a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner, a 160-slice CT scanner, a 3D digital mammography system, a 4D ultrasound machine, a digital X-ray system, super-speciality theatres, endoscopy, ophthalmology and ENT equipment.
Gbala said installation of the equipment would begin soon, following the recent visit by the supplier’s representatives for final technical assessments.
He also highlighted the relocation of the hospital’s ophthalmology department to a new facility, the ongoing upgrade of neonatal services towards a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and plans to commence a neonatal nursing training programme in collaboration with the University of Medical Sciences.
The CMD further praised the governor’s support for maternal and child healthcare through the Abiyamo Safe Motherhood Scheme and the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Programme, which provide free caesarean sections and delivery services for pregnant women.
He also lauded the governor for approving the construction of residential quarters for resident doctors within the teaching hospital, describing the project as another step towards strengthening specialist medical training and emergency healthcare delivery.
Aiyedatiwa had recently announced a series of reforms in the state’s health sector, including improved welfare packages for health workers, the procurement of modern medical equipment for secondary health facilities and the approval of a N1bn Hospital Intervention Fund for the expansion and modernisation of healthcare facilities across the state.
