UNIMEDTH Management Commends Aiyedatiwa for Implementation of New Professional Allowances and Sustained Investment
The Management and Staff of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, UNIMEDTH, Ondo, express their profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Ondo State and the Captain of OUR EASE, His Excellency, Hon. Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for the implementation of the new Professional Allowance and Specialist Allowance under the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures for staff of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, including staff presently working at the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital, FUTATH.
The implementation of these allowances has created an atmosphere of excitement and renewed enthusiasm across the Teaching Hospital. Staff morale is exceptionally high and healthcare workers are further motivated to provide efficient, compassionate and patient-centred services to the people of Ondo State and beyond. This implementation has also made UNIMEDTH increasingly attractive to healthcare professionals across Nigeria. Within the last one month alone, the Hospital has attracted the largest number of consultants and specialists from other states in its eight-year history, unlike in previous years when we lost our skilled professionals to neighbouring states. This remarkable achievement reflects the confidence of healthcare professionals in the administration’s commitment to staff welfare and the strengthening of the health sector. Ondo State is the first state in South-West Nigeria to implement these enhanced professional allowances and is among the first states in the Federation to do so.
The Ondo State Government has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the growth and transformation of UNIMEDTH through several landmark interventions. Earlier this year, His Excellency graciously approved and released the Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, for both regular and supernumerary resident doctors, thereby strengthening postgraduate medical education and specialist training in the State.
In addition, internship spaces were significantly increased across various professional cadres, creating more opportunities for young healthcare professionals. Furthermore, over 100 security personnel serving in the Teaching Hospital were granted permanent employment by the State Government, reflecting the administration’s commitment to staff welfare and institutional stability.
One of the most remarkable milestones is the ongoing planned upgrade of the Hospital’s diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. This includes the award and mobilisation of funds for the procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment. These include a 1.5 Tesla MRI Scanner, 160-slice CT Scanner, 3D Digital Mammography System, 4D Ultrasound Machine, Direct Digital X-Ray, Super-specialty Theatres, Ophthalmology Equipment, ENT Equipment Console, new Endoscopy Equipment and several other modern medical technologies. As part of the implementation process, representatives of JNCI Group, the equipment supply company, visited the Teaching Hospital yesterday for a repeat facility tour and held final technical discussions with the Hospital Management and end users led by the Chief Medical Director, Professor Michael Olumide Gbala, to finalise the installation sites for the equipment within the Hospital’s new 250-bed tertiary healthcare complex.
Further demonstrating the Government’s commitment to quality healthcare, the Teaching Hospital relocated its Ophthalmology services last month to a newly developed Ophthalmology Department, significantly expanding specialist eye care services. The Dental Department has also been strengthened with the installation of a modern Orthopantomogram, OPG, machine and other high-end dental equipment.
Similarly, neonatal services are being upgraded with the addition of several new neonatal ventilators, alongside other advanced neonatal care equipment, positioning the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU, towards providing Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Services for critically ill newborns. In addition, the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, in collaboration with its affiliate University, the University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, is set to commence a Neonatal Nursing Training Programme, made possible by the unprecedented upgrade of its neonatal facilities.
Maternal healthcare has equally received a major boost through the State Government-supported Abiyamo Safe Motherhood Scheme and the State and Federal Government-supported Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care, CEmONC, Programme, under which pregnant women benefit from free Caesarean sections and free delivery services at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital.
In addition, the Ondo State Government has graciously promised to construct a modern terrace building to serve as the Resident Doctors’ Quarters within the Teaching Hospital. When completed, this purpose-built accommodation will significantly improve the welfare of resident doctors by providing comfortable on-campus residential facilities, enhancing their availability for emergency and on-call duties, strengthening postgraduate residency training and improving the quality, timeliness and continuity of patient care. This important initiative further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to building a world-class teaching hospital and creating an enabling environment for specialist medical training and excellent healthcare delivery.
The Management and Staff of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Hon. Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for the health sector. The numerous investments in staff welfare, infrastructure, equipment, training and healthcare programmes are already yielding positive results and laying a solid foundation for a stronger, more resilient and globally competitive healthcare system in Ondo State. We assure His Excellency and the good people of Ondo State of our continued commitment to excellence, professionalism, accountability and compassionate service as we strive to make UNIMEDTH one of Nigeria’s foremost centres for clinical care, medical education, research and innovation.
Signed
Professor Michael Olumide Gbala
Chief Medical Director,
University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, UNIMEDTH, Ondo
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