The Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo state (AMDO), has highlighted the association’s concern for medical equity and the governor’s support for health workers.
The association, led by its chairman, Dr. Olaoye Solomon Olagoke, praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his responsiveness in addressing issues that affect the welfare and working conditions of medical personnel.
The association, during a courtesy visit to the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board Chairman, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, requested that the state government prioritise the domestication of federal government circulars that are applicable to doctors.
This move, according to the association, would prevent the departure of doctors from the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board and ensure that the state retains qualified medical personnel.
In addition, the association raised concerns about the arbitrary appointments of directors and deputy directors in the state’s hospitals management board and ministry of health.
The chairman, Dr Olaoye, noted that seniority in medical practice is based on year of graduation and year of employment, and should not be disregarded in favour of additional qualifications.
The association’s push for equity and transparency was well-received by the board chairman, who assured the association that future appointments would be more transparent and would take into account all interests.
In response to the concerns raised by AMDO, the board chairman, Dr Akin Fagbemi, expressed his appreciation for the association’s visit and emphasized the importance of keeping medical personnel within the state.
He hinted that a recruitment exercise to fill available vacancies in the board was underway, reassuring the association that the recruitment process would be conducted in a transparent manner.
The chairman also responded to the concerns raised about previous appointments, stating that the previous decisions may have been made in good faith, but pledged to ensure more openness and fairness in future appointments.
The response from the board chairman was welcomed by AMDO as a positive step towards addressing the concerns of medical personnel in the state.
The association also viewed the recruitment exercise as an opportunity to bring in new talent and expertise that would enhance the delivery of healthcare services in Oyo State.
The meeting between AMDO and the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board was seen as a significant step towards improving communication and collaboration between the state government and healthcare professionals.
The board chairman’s willingness to engage with the concerns raised by the association signaled a commitment to ensuring that the needs of medical personnel are prioritised.