by Bamidele Eleniola
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Olalekan Joshua Ogunwole has stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system through strategic collaboration, innovation, sustainable investment in medical education, and the expansion of quality clinical services.
Prof. Ogunwole made this known on Monday while receiving the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Kolawole Ogundipe, during a courtesy and working visit to the university.
Welcoming the FETHI management team, the Vice-Chancellor commended Prof. Ogundipe for his visionary leadership and the presentation of a comprehensive master plan for the permanent site of the teaching hospital.
Describing the proposal as a product of diligence, foresight and administrative excellence, Prof. Ogunwole said the strategic partnership between FUOYE and FETHI must be further strengthened to enhance healthcare delivery, medical education, clinical training, biomedical research and specialised patient care.
“We must strengthen our health services by working together. Through collaboration, innovation and our shared commitment, we can build a resilient healthcare system that will better serve our people while providing quality clinical training for our medical students,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
He disclosed that the university would present the hospital’s master plan to the Senate for consideration, noting that the Senate, as the highest academic decision-making body of the university, would examine the proposal in line with established institutional procedures.
Expressing confidence in the leadership of the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ogunwole urged members of the hospital’s management and workforce to support him in translating his vision into tangible achievements for the institution.
He also charged FETHI personnel to demonstrate exemplary professional conduct worthy of emulation by FUOYE medical students, emphasising that academic excellence must be complemented by ethical practice, compassion, discipline and professionalism in patient care.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that FUOYE has intensified the deployment of digital technology to enhance teaching, learning and research. He added that the university plans to extend its FUOYE Internet Distributed Service (FIDS) infrastructure beyond the classrooms within FETHI to other sections of the hospital to support telemedicine, clinical services, research activities and efficient healthcare delivery.
Prof. Ogunwole also announced that the university intended to launch a community healthcare outreach programme next year through mobile medical clinics that will provide free medical consultations, basic diagnostic services and essential healthcare interventions for people aged 70 years and above within the host communities.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of FETHI, Prof. Kolawole Ogundipe said the visit was to congratulate Prof. Ogunwole on his appointment as the fifth substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE and to further strengthen the existing partnership between the two institutions.
Prof. Ogundipe, a renowned Consultant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery ,expressed optimism that the collaboration would evolve into a model of excellence in medical education, clinical research, healthcare delivery and manpower development. He also formally presented the hospital’s master plan and development proposal for consideration and support by the university.
The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both noble institutions to deepen collaboration in medical education, research, clinical excellence and the delivery of quality healthcare services for the benefit of the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria at large.
In his vote of thanks, Deputy Registrar and the Secretary to the University’s College of Medicine, Mr. Olusola Taiwo, expressed profound appreciation to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Kolawole Ogundipe, and his delegation for the courtesy and working visit.
He described the engagement as another significant milestone in the growing partnership between the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), noting that the discussions would further strengthen collaboration in medical education, research, healthcare delivery and institutional development.
Mr Taiwo also commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olalekan Joshua Ogunwole, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to building strategic partnerships that will enhance the University’s College of Medicine. Mr. Taiwo expressed confidence that the resolutions reached during the meeting would be diligently implemented for the mutual benefit of both institutions.
Present at the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Babatunde Omotosho; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Partnerships, Research, Innovation and Linkages – SPRIL), Prof. Babatunde Afolabi; the Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Olusola Atilade Adeeyo; the College Examinations Officer, Dr Abiodun Oyeleke; Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Dr Sunday Saanu; and the Faculty Officer, Basic Medical Sciences, Mr Femi Akinropo.
The CMD was accompanied on the visit by Dr. Olabisi Adeyemi, Mrs. Foluso Adelegan, Mrs. Bunmi Adeniji, PhD, Mrs. Yinka Adewara, PhD, Mrs. Feyi Aladetuyi, Engr. Adedayo Dada, Mr. Seyi Olatimehin, Dr. Adedamola Adenekan, Dr. Kamal Alabi, Mr. I. O. Anifowose, Dr. O. B. Bolaji, Dr. Adewumi, Mr. Babatope Ajimati, and other members of staff of the hospital.
Photo credit: Nifesimi Ogungbe
