The Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH), Prof. Olusegun Ojo, has identified inadequate office accommodation and limited clinical space as major challenges confronting the institution.
Speaking with journalists in Akure on Monday, Ojo said the hospital was nevertheless making steady progress, revealing that the Federal Government had approved a take-off establishment of 1,200 personnel as part of efforts to develop the facility into a full-fledged federal teaching hospital.
He said the hospital’s management remains focused on strengthening its systems and improving healthcare delivery despite the operational constraints.
“We still face many challenges. Office accommodation and clinical space remain inadequate, but we must continue settling staff into the federal service and strengthen our systems,” Ojo said, appealing to patients and the public for patience as the institution continues to stabilise.
Addressing concerns over the recruitment of the approved personnel, the CMD said the controversy stemmed from a misunderstanding of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the transition of the former University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Teaching Hospital into a federal institution.
According to him, the agreement with the Ondo State Government did not provide for the automatic absorption of all existing workers. Instead, the Federal Ministry of Health was required to assess each staff member’s qualifications, biodata and suitability before confirming appointments into the federal service.
Ojo said the approved establishment represents the number of personnel needed for the hospital to commence operations and insisted that the recruitment process had been conducted fairly and in line with the MoU.
The CMD also condemned the disruption of hospital activities during a recent protest by some workers, stressing that healthcare facilities must remain peaceful because of the critical services they provide.
While acknowledging that disagreements are inevitable, Ojo urged aggrieved workers to use established channels to address their concerns rather than disrupt hospital operations, adding that management remains open to dialogue and constructive engagement.
