A huge crisis is brewing at the country’s premier reference hospital, the National Hospital in Abuja, due to a leadership succession squabble.
According to investigations, the main cause of the shambles in the selection of a new Chief Medical Director (CMD) for the hospital was a desperate attempt by some powerful interests to impose someone without recourse to due process.
Following the eight-year tenure of the previous CMD, Dr. Jaf Momoh, another individual, Dr. Aisha Umar, was appointed as Acting CMD. Aisha later left for a leave of absence, with Dr. Badamosi filling in for her.
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When Newsmen inquired about the brewing crisis with the parent ministry, the Federal Government of Health, a senior official who requested anonymity told Newsmen that the matter had sparked multiple petitions and that the ministry was investigating these complaints.
“This is an internal matter. As far as I know, there have been petitions over the replacement of the CMD of the National Hospital, Abuja and the ministry is still looking into the matter,” she said.
According to the official, the succession dilemma at the National Hospital prompted the convening of multiple meetings to try to address it.
According to news reports, one of these sessions was place last Friday at the ministry, where issues arising from the findings of the CMD interview were examined but not resolved.
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According to a source at the National Hospital in Abuja, the situation began with an interview for a new CMD.
He stated that the Minister of Health, Dr. Ehanire Osagie, has formed a 6-member panel to interview candidates for the position of CMD.
According to the source, the panel included the Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), eight directors from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Chairman and Board Members of National Hospital Abuja, Prof Giwa Osagie, renown gynaecologist and former MD of Federal Medical Centre Jabi, Mrs. Igwillo as resource persons, and the Chairman and Board Members of National Hospital Abuja.
It stated that the panel had made its final decision and recommended three people in the order of best performance.
Dr. Oluwole Olaomi, Dr. Ogbalu, and Prof Adekunle Salaudeen, he claimed, were the three finalists.
According to the source, the panel members signed and transmitted the recommendation to the Minister of Health, who will forward it to President Muhammadu Buhari for selection.
“Unfortunately the Minister wrote to the hospital last week that he cancelled the interview report. He now wrote to the hospital that he’s conducting a new interview with another panel,” he added.
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