From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Darlington Obaseki, on Friday, August 15, urged staff and management of the teaching hospital to rally round the CMD-designate, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, to succeed.
He made the call while giving his valedictory speech in Benin City.
According to him, “I’m confident that with the support of all of us here, she will do well.
“My wish and prayer, I’ve said this before, let me say it here publicly for the last time. I’ve said it even before we started a transition process, but when I leave, I don’t want to hear anybody say, ‘Obaseki, when he was here, he was trying very well. We don’t even know what is happening now.’ That’s not my wish. My prayer and wish, I want to hear reports that Professor Obaseki was here, he tried, but this woman has surpassed me.
“I say this from the bottom of my heart. And I publicly commit myself to ensuring that she tries more than me. Madam, you will try more than me. The staff of UBTH will love you more than me,” he said.
Prof. Obaseki said one of his greatest accomplishments was his ability to ensure that there were no industrial actions throughout his eight years as CMD of the hospital.
Obaseki said the hospital has been able to brace up to the health needs of Nigerians, noting that 143 hospitals referred their patients to the hospital and that they have been able to absorb such work pressure, just as he urged them to preserve the value of the hospital.
“What this hospital does for the South-South region? Last June alone, 143 different hospitals referred patients here. Which means we are the hub of care in this region. When I say 143, across six and seven states, not just Edo State. So UBTH is bigger than all of us.
“It’s an egg, a precious egg that we must all hold and support,” he said.
The outgoing CMD thanked the staff and management of the hospital for their love and support during his tenure as the CMD.
“So I want to thank the staff of UBTH. You have shown me love, you have shown me grace. You have protected me. You have been good to me. I appreciate you. Thank you so much,” Obaseki said.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof. Stanley Okugbo, said the outgoing CMD’s tenure was very impactful in the area of staff welfare and in the area of infrastructural development of the hospital.
Speaking also, the CMD-designate, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, commended the outgoing CMD for writing a book that will not only impact on the Nigerian healthcare sector but in Africa as a whole.
She urged him to take a break and to be closer to his family and God.
