Ogundipe Calls for Greater Recognition of Community Medicine in Nigeria’s Healthcare System as WACP Assesses FETHI Programme The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), Prof. Kolawole Ogundipe, has called for greater recognition of Community Medicine in Nigeria’s healthcare system, describing the specialty as vital to effective healthcare delivery and the training of future specialists. Prof. Ogundipe made the call on Monday, 24th August, when he received a reaccreditation team from the West African College of Physicians (WACP) to assess the hospital’s Department of Community Medicine.

Welcoming the team, the CMD expressed delight at the visit and highlighted the growth of FETHI and the depth of expertise within the Department of Community Medicine. He noted that accreditation was important in maintaining standards in healthcare delivery and postgraduate medical training. Prof. Ogundipe disclosed that the department has one of the highest concentrations of consultants in the hospital and expressed the hope that more doctors would develop interest in Community Medicine residency. He assured the team of management’s full cooperation throughout the exercise, noting that the hospital had prepared adequately and addressed observations raised during the previous accreditation visit. He, however, expressed the management’s readiness to receive further recommendations that could strengthen the department and improve its training environment. Speaking on the purpose of the visit, the team lead, Prof. Hadiza Abigail Agbo, described the exercise as a privilege to assess the department for reaccreditation.

She explained that the team would review key areas required by the College, stressing that WACP would not compromise its standards during the assessment. Prof. Agbo assured the hospital that the exercise would be conducted thoroughly and without bias, noting that the ultimate objective was to ensure the continued development of the programme. She appreciated the hospital management and staff for receiving the team and expressed the commitment of the assessors to conducting the exercise professionally. Following the assessment, the team held a debriefing session with the hospital management, during which it presented its observations and recommendations. The session provided an opportunity for management to receive feedback and discuss areas for further strengthening of the department’s operations and postgraduate training.

Also present were the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Olabisi Adeyemo; Head of Community Medicine, Prof. Olusegun Elegbede; DCMAC (Training), Dr. T. Kolawole; DCMAC (Research and Innovation), Dr. O. B. Bolaji; Head of Account and Finance, Mrs. Yinka Adewara; Head of Internal Audit, Mrs. Feyisayo Aladetuyi; Head of Human Resources, Mr. Abayomi Alake; Deputy Director of Administration (General Administration), Mr. Abayomi Adeakin; Deputy Director of Protocol, Mr. Isaac Anifowose; Head of Department, Works and Services, Engr. Dada Adedayo; Head of Procurement, Mr. Seyi Olatimehin; Head of Residency and Training Unit, Mr. Mikhail Arogundade, PhD; Head of SERVICOM/Nodal Office, Prof. Kayode Jimoh; Chief of Staff to the CMD, Dr. Kamal Alabi; Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Olatunde Ojo; Physician-in-Charge, Ise Annex, Dr. Abioye; and Physician-in-Charge, Ado Annex, Dr. Austine Ibikunle. Consultants and resident doctors in the Department of Community Medicine and other members of staff. Also present on the WACP reaccreditation team were Dr. Adebola A. Adejimi and Dr. Luke Anwuri.

Information and Corporate Affairs Department, FETHI