Health

Clinical Leaders and Unions Laud Dr. Folabi’s Transformative Two-Year Tenure at UNIOSUNTH

Professional associations, organised labour and clinical leaders at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, have commended the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Babatunde Adeola Afolabi, for what they described as significant achievements in staff welfare, infrastructure development, career progression and clinical service delivery during his first two years in office.

The commendations came as Afolabi concluded his second year as Chief Medical Director and commenced his third year, with different professional groups within the institution issuing separate congratulatory messages highlighting the administration’s interventions and expressing optimism about the hospital’s future.

The associations include the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

The hospital’s Chief Medical Advisory Committee Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel O. Folami, and a senior official of the Corporate Affairs Department, Alhaji Wale Ajibolu, also joined in celebrating the CMD’s leadership, identifying specific administrative and infrastructural developments that have contributed to the institution’s growth.

One of the most prominent achievements highlighted by the stakeholders is the regularisation of the 2012 and 2013 staff categories, an intervention described by the senior staff association as a historic accomplishment that restored hope among affected employees.

The association particularly commended Afolabi’s approach to staff relations, describing him as an accessible and approachable administrator whose open-door policy has given workers across different cadres a sense of belonging.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLINICAL SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

On infrastructure, the anniversary assessments identified the renovation of various hospital clinics and the refurbishment and re-equipping of the Theatre Complex, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Accident and Emergency Department as notable interventions under the current management.

The ongoing construction and upgrading of the hospital’s Gas Plant Building also featured among the projects highlighted by stakeholders.

Another major development identified was the acquisition of high-capacity transformers to address electricity challenges and improve power supply to critical clinical areas, an intervention considered important to the uninterrupted delivery of essential medical services.

The administration’s acquisition of new vehicles for management operations and the provision of a befitting car park were also listed among the improvements recorded during the period.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives particularly acknowledged the administration’s efforts in improving the hospital’s physical environment, strengthening clinical services and enhancing the institution’s public image.

The association also commended Afolabi’s willingness to encourage teamwork and professional collaboration, noting that mutual respect, inclusiveness and collective responsibility remained essential to the hospital’s development.

STAFF WELFARE, CAREER PROGRESSION AND INDUSTRIAL HARMONY

Beyond infrastructural development, staff welfare emerged as a recurring theme in the anniversary messages.

The Senior Staff Association praised the CMD’s commitment to workers’ well-being, describing his administration as one that had demonstrated sensitivity to staff concerns and encouraged constructive engagement across professional groups.

The association also identified the regularisation of the 2012 and 2013 staff categories as a particularly significant achievement, noting that the intervention had addressed a longstanding concern within the workforce.

Similarly, NASU acknowledged the importance of a harmonious working environment, mutual respect and constructive engagement between management and organised labour.

The union urged the CMD to sustain his commitment to staff welfare, industrial harmony and professional development, stressing that the hospital’s ambition of becoming a leading referral centre would require the collective dedication of its workforce.

JOHESU also celebrated the two-year milestone as evidence of purposeful leadership and institutional commitment, expressing optimism that the years ahead would bring further improvements in infrastructure, manpower development, staff welfare and healthcare delivery.

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP REAFFIRMS SUPPORT

The hospital’s clinical leadership also acknowledged the importance of collaboration in advancing the administration’s transformation agenda.

Dr. Emmanuel O. Folami, Chairman of the Chief Medical Advisory Committee, praised Afolabi’s dedication to excellence in service delivery and medical training.

He specifically appreciated members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), acknowledging their contributions across the hospital’s clinics, wards and theatres.

Folami described the consultants as important partners in achieving the institution’s developmental objectives and appealed for greater collaboration, professional advice and commitment towards building a better hospital.

Alhaji Wale Ajibolu of the Corporate Affairs Department, in a separate tribute, also highlighted the CMD’s contributions to administrative efficiency, career progression, infrastructure renewal and sustained industrial harmony.

He described Afolabi as a leader whose approach to staff matters had encouraged mutual understanding and cooperation between management and the various unions.

AFOLABI ACKNOWLEDGES ADELEKE, SEEKS INCREASED INVESTMENT

In his appreciation message marking the anniversary, Afolabi expressed profound gratitude to Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, for his support and commitment to the development of the institution.

He also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Deji Adeleke, Yeye Dupe Sanni, the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Speaker and members of the Osun State House of Assembly, Commissioner for Health, members of the State Council on Health, State Executive Council and other government officials and stakeholders.

The CMD emphasised that the progress recorded within the last two years was not the achievement of the hospital management alone but a product of government support, policy interventions, stakeholder cooperation and contributions from well-meaning individuals and organisations.

While expressing appreciation for the enabling environment and interventions received, he acknowledged that more needed to be done to strengthen the hospital’s capacity and achieve its long-term objectives.

He consequently appealed for sustained government support, greater collaboration, strategic interventions and increased investment in infrastructure, medical equipment, manpower, staff welfare, professional training, research and service delivery.

Afolabi said his aspiration was to develop UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital into a leading centre of excellence, providing quality and compassionate healthcare, attracting patients from within and beyond Osun State, and becoming a recognised destination for medical training, research and specialist services.

A THIRD YEAR OF HIGHER EXPECTATIONS

The commencement of Afolabi’s third year in office comes with renewed expectations from the hospital community, particularly concerning the sustainability of the achievements identified by the professional associations and clinical leadership.

While the commendations reflect institutional recognition of the administration’s efforts, the various unions have also emphasised the need for continuous improvements in staff welfare, infrastructure, manpower, professional development and service delivery.

The broader objective remains the transformation of the hospital into a competitive teaching and referral institution capable of meeting the growing healthcare needs of Osun State and neighbouring communities.

For Afolabi, the next phase presents an opportunity to consolidate the gains of his first two years, deepen stakeholder collaboration and pursue the investments required to realise his vision.

The convergence of support from the hospital’s professional associations, organised labour and clinical leadership also reinforces the importance of collective responsibility in building a stronger healthcare institution.

As the CMD looks ahead, his message to the Osun State Government and other stakeholders is one of appreciation, partnership and a renewed call for support.

The ultimate test of the ongoing transformation, however, will be its lasting impact on healthcare professionals, patients and the wider population that depends on UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for quality medical services.