*The New CMD of Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja FTHL, Prof. Abdulrahaman Ozovehe Shehu promises to prioritize Staff welfare and efficient service delivery*

By Our Reporter

The newly appointed Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL), Professor Abdulrahaman Ozovehe Shehu, has promised to prioritize staff welfare and efficient service delivery .

Speaking at the Handover ceremony, Professor Shehu emphasized the need for a shift in mindset, stating that the hospital system should be designed to serve patients, not the other way around. He acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, Dr. Sunday Ojochide Ebune, and pledged to build on the progress made so far.

The new CMD emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating that every head of department is a top management committee member and a chief medical director in their own right. He urged staff to take ownership of the institution and be responsible for their action or inaction. He added that staff should ensure that documents are processed timely and efficiently. "A 24-hour time is not too short for every issue that requires attention on any desk to not get that attention and move forward," he added that 48hours is enough from the time of request and responce from the Management. In the event that the scheduled officer is not around, the next to him/her should attend to the file.

Professor Shehu also emphasized the need for accountability and encouraged staff to share their ideas and contribute to the hospital's progress, promising to support and facilitate ideas that will move the hospital forward. He acknowledged the support of the hospital's board chairman and other stakeholders, saying he would tap into their networks to attract interventions for the hospital.

He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive work environment, saying, "If your face is hard, your staff will not be able to discuss their problems with you; he encourages the relationship between staff and subordinate to be like that of parents and their children. " Remember you are not just the head of the department, you are the father of that department." Professor Shehu concluded by urging staff to work together to drive progress and improve the hospital's services, saying, "The old things have gone to the past, and new things are beginning today."

The new CMD expressed gratitude to the coordinating Minister of health and social welfare Prof. Mohamed Ali Pate ,Minister of State for Health,Dr.Iziaq Adekunle Salako for their support  and all others who contributed to his appointment, acknowledging their roles in advancing healthcare in the state. He also thanked the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his unwavering commitment to the health sector and the hospital, pledging continued collaboration with the state government to tackle pressing health challenges.

 Earlier while welcoming the new CMD, the outgoing Acting CMD, Dr. Sunday Ojochide Ebune emphasized the need for the system  to be responsive to people's needs. 

 He cited an example of a transformer fuse that blew and taking days to fix. "So responsiveness means that the system must be able to respond quickly to correct whatever errors or anomaly for the sake of sanctity of human life," he said.

Dr. Ebune emphasized that the system should prioritize patient care, saying it "must be made to work to save the people who are dying." He urged a shift in mindset, stressing that inefficiencies should not hinder urgent care. "Respond quickly, and make sure you leave no gap," he said, appealing to the new CMD to drive Changes.

The Chairman of the board, Hon.Nze Chidi Duru, OON represented by the  Special Adviser on policy and projects, Mr. Emmanuel Morah, expressed confidence in the new CMD, Professor Abdulrahaman Ozovehe Shehu, saying the sky is the limit for the hospital. 

He urged the outgoing Acting CMD, to guide and support the new CMD, saying "please don't go far from him, be by his side, guide him and be there for him".

Mr. Morah, drawing from his personal experience, said he has insights and dreams for the hospital, having been involved with it during his NYSC service year, 17 years ago.

He emphasized the need to motivate staff, saying "Staff welfare is a major thing that could drive people," and urged the new CMD to consider that.

The Acting CMD  formally handed over the mantle of leadership of the hospital to the new CMD on the guidance of the Chairman who, prayed that may God guide him and urged him to do better. "The mantle is on you, he said, adding that the new CMD's words are "kind and safe". He expressed optimism about the hospital's future, saying he had done a feasibility study and had recommendations for improvement.

 In a goodwill message, Dr. Suleiman Mohammed, the NARD president, began by appreciating the outgoing Acting CMD, and the new CMD, saying he's happy with the Chief Medical Director's priorities. He noted that globally, health systems prioritize staff welfare, citing examples from the US, China, and Europe, where healthcare spending is much higher than in Nigeria. "The world over, priorities in health systems have changed... your only job, your topmost priority, is to ensure that those under your services are well taken care of," he said.

Dr. Mohammed praised the outgoing Acting CMD for prioritizing training, saying he left a legacy of growth in human resources. He urged the new CMD to continue this focus, saying "with this kind of mind set, let us prioritize the welfare of those delivering these services... you will see the oneness that shall come." He also acknowledged improvements in staff salaries from federal government, crediting those behind the scene for their efforts. "Those of us that are behind the scenes, pulling the strings, know who is guiding us," he said.

 Prof. Mike Ogirima,mni who is the Provost, college of health sciences Federal University Lokoja in his remark  congratulated Prof. Abdulrahaman Ozovehe Shehu on his well deserved appointment as CMD of FTH Lokoja. He expressed confidece in  Prof. Shehu's capabilities, saying "I trust you, because you've been part of my journey in leadership, and I'm confident you'll take us forward." Prof. Ogirima emphasized the importance of welfare, saying it's the sole agenda and urged Prof. Shehu to prioritize it.

He advised Prof. Shehu to take care of himself and staff, saying "take care of yourself, and you'll be in a better position to care for the patients." Prof. Ogirima stressed mutual respect between leadership and staff, saying "respect the leadership, who shall deliver for you good motivation." He expressed confidence in Prof. Shehu's leadership, saying "you're the man for this moment"

 Dr. Mrs. Adefumilola Onifade, Head of Family Planning, expressed appreciation to the outgoing Acting CMD, saying she gained from his results-driven approach. "I want results" and this keeps pushing her to deliver, she said, adding that he emphasized welfare, which she appreciated.

With Prof. Shehu's wealth of experience and knowledge, she believes he shall attract philanthropists to support FTH Lokoja. "We have a lot of brains here, but we need mobilization," she said, urging him to open doors of development for the hospital. She wished him a successful tenure, saying "by God's grace, we are going to go to the next level"

 Other leaders of various unions including JACK delivered goodwill messages promise to work with the new CMD to succeed in the task ahead. 

Highlights of the ceremony was a tour of the various departments in the Hospital by the new CMD led by the outgoing Acting CMD to familiarize him with the hospital.

Hassan Abubakar-Editor.